Children may arrive from 8.35 when they are supervised in the playground by a member of staff.

Hot dinners can be ordered for the week or odd days, but the correct money should be sent in a named purse or envelope at the beginning of the week. At present meals cost £2.30 per day.  Any family who feels they may be eligible for free meals should speak to the school secretary.

By law children must start statutory education full time from the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday. At Flitcham children may start school in the September of the school year in which they are five.

Children usually are expected to attend full time from the beginning of their time in school. However, the wishes of parents/ carers are taken into consideration.

In the event of over-subscription the following allocation criteria will be used…
1 Children in public care; first priority will be given to looked after children
2 Children with a statement of special educational needs
3 Children who have siblings on the school’s role on the date of the pupil’s admission.
4 Children of practising Anglicans, whose commitment to the Church of England is confirmed  in writing by a religious minister.
The shortest distance to travel to the school. (measured as the crow flies)
The official maximum number of admission agreed by the Governing Body is 15.

Flitcham offers a wide range of extra curricular activities outside lesson times. These are dependant on the children’s interests and over the year can include cooking, gardening, art, dance, speed stacking, fencing and a variety of sports. There is usually a small charge per session.

Art and Design
We encourage children to be creative and to share their ideas, experiences and imagination. Children are taught to develop art and design techniques, including drawing, printing, sculpture, with a range of materials through using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space. They learn about great artists, designers, and architects; visits to galleries, links with ‘artists in residence’ and regularly displaying their own work in exhibitions give our children first hand experience of the work of artists.

All children are expected to be in school by 8.45am. Children arriving after 8:55am should notify the office of their late arrival so they can be registered. Any child who arrives after this time will be marked late. In case of illness the Academy should be contacted by 9.30am by telephone, a personal visit or letter.

Attendance 2016-2017
Number on role 73 (compulsory school age)
96.1 Attendance
0% persistent Absence

Unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary to close the Academy because of severe weather problems or other emergencies. The Academy will only be closed as a last resort, and the times when this actually happens are rare.

Before deciding upon closure the following considerations are made:

• Are access roads safe?
• Are there on-site hazards?
• Will there be enough staff to supervise?
• Can a reasonable temperature be maintained?
• Are toilet facilities and water operational?

Guidelines we follow:

• Should it be necessary to close the Academy during the day we will telephone parents.
• If we are unable to contact parents we will keep the child at school until normal time.
• If there are serious weather problems- floods, storms or snow, the Headteacher will inform Norfolk County Council and local radio stations of the decision.
• Parents are advised to listen to local radio stations: BBC Norfolk, KLFM or North Norfolk Radio, where updated lists of schools closing will be read at regular intervals and check Norfolk County Council’s website www.norfolk.gov.uk/education. Select ‘Emergency school Closures’ from the list on the right for a regular updated list of school closures.

We offer a breakfast club every morning from 8:00 until 8:30 where children can enjoy social time together before school starts.

As a Church of England Primary Academy, situated on the edge of the Royal Sandringham estate we actively promote British values in everything we do. We want our children to become responsible, active citizens who participate in democratic and public life with respect for diversity and a commitment to working towards greater community cohesion. Personal, social, health education and citizenship is at the heart of our academy which emphasis the difference between right and wrong and respecting and tolerating differences in a very diverse and modern Britain. We have planned a curriculum that will enable children to make progress towards these aims. Through engaging lessons, using challenges and appropriate activities we can give them all a better understanding of themselves and others in their community; secure and influence behaviour and attendance and encourage life long learning.

All education during school hours is free. At present we do not charge for any activity undertaken as part of the National Curriculum.

Voluntary Contributions
The Headteacher or Governing Body may ask parents for a voluntary contribution towards the cost of:

• any activity which takes place during school hours;
• school equipment;
• school funds generally.

When organising school trips or visits which enrich the curriculum and educational experience of the children, the school invites parents to contribute to the cost of the event. All contributions are voluntary. If we do not receive sufficient voluntary contributions, we may cancel the event. If an event goes ahead, it may include children whose parents have not paid any contribution. We do not treat these children differently from any others. If a parent wishes their child to take part in a school trip or event, but is unwilling or unable to make a voluntary contribution, we do allow the child to participate fully in the trip or activity. Sometimes the school pays additional costs in order to support the visit. Parents have a right to know how each trip is funded. The school will provide this information on request.

The following is a list of additional activities organised by the school, which require voluntary contributions from parents. These activities are intended to enrich and support the curriculum.

This list is not exhaustive:

• Visits to museums;
• Sporting activities which require transport expenses;
• Outdoor adventure activities;
• Visits to the theatre;
• School trips
• Musical events.
• Visitors to school e.g. theatre groups

Residential visits
Schools are permitted to charge for the cost of board and lodging during residential school trips, even if they occur mainly during school time. This cost must not exceed the actual cost of the provision.

Where the trip takes place wholly, or mainly, during school hours, children whose parents are in receipt of the following support payments will, in addition to having a free school lunch entitlement, also be entitled to the remission of the charge for board and lodging:

• Income Support;
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance;
• An income-related employment and support allowance;
• support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;
• Child Tax Credit provided the parent is not entitled to Working Tax Credit and their annual income, assessed by the Inland Revenue, does not exceed £16,040 (2009-10)
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

Music tuition
All children study music as part of the normal school curriculum. We do not charge for this.

There may sometimes be a charge for individual or group music tuition by peripatetic music teachers if this is not part of the National Curriculum. Parents in receipt of state benefits may get help with payment. We give parents information about additional music tuition at the start of each academic year.

Swimming
The school organises swimming lessons for all children in Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 1. These take place in school time. We ask parents to make a voluntary payment for these lessons to cover the cost of specialist tuition and transport. We inform parents when these lessons are to take place, and we ask parents for their written permission for their child to take part in swimming lessons. No child is excluded from these lessons because of an inability to pay. 

Breakages and Lost or Damaged Books
Where a child’s actions incur extra costs to the school, by breakage of equipment, damage to premises, loss or damage to text books or library books, parents will be invited to pay a contribution to cover the whole or part of the cost.

Extra Curricular Activities
The school will try to offer the children a range of optional extra curricular activities to widen their experiences e.g. French club, art, netball, hockey, football, dance, ICT, multi sports clubs. Parents may be asked for payment if outside specialist teachers/coaches are employed to run the clubs or if there is a cost for additional materials such as in cooking. Parents with financial difficulties whose children wish to participate will be invited to discuss individual needs with the Headteacher.

Design Technology
The design technology curriculum requires the children to plan, design and make items which sometimes require mechanisms etc. to make them work. At the end of projects, if the children would like to bring their working model home, it may be necessary to make a small charge of to cover the cost of the mechanisms and specialist materials and ingredients.

There is daily Collective Worship for every child which reflects the fact that we are a Church of England Academy. Themes promote the teaching of Christian values and are taken from the Old and New Testaments and from other religions. The children are encouraged to consider ‘the bigger question’; their thoughts, words and deeds in relation to people and the world around them. Our Rector, Father Jonathon, leads assemblies on Thursdays.

We also visit our village church regularly to take communion and to celebrate special festivals such as Christmas. Everyone is welcome to join us. Each year we are privileged to be invited to join her Majesty the Queen at the Prize Giving Service at West Newton Church.

As a parent you have the right to withdraw your child from Collective Worship.

At Flitcham we have strong links with local primary and high schools, enabling us to take part in inter-school sports, science, maths and music activities and develop staff skills.

We hold services and end of year celebrations in our local church and many visitors are welcomed into the academy, including theatre groups, orchestras, scientists, sports coaches and artists.

Local businesses support us and are very generous when fund raising for equipment. The community policy officer, road safety advisor, academy nurse and local residents support the teaching staff in class work on particular topics throughout the year.

Children from the academy support the community by taking part in local events such as art exhibitions, music festivals, local church services and charities.

If you are unhappy about any aspect of your child’s education or experience at school, you should first make an appointment to see the class teacher. We hope that by discussing concerns with the class teacher they may be resolved. However, if you are still unhappy and wish to take the matter further you should make an appointment to see the Headteacher.

If, after discussions with the Headteacher, the matter is still unresolved, you should inform the Headteacher you wish to make a formal complaint. You will be given guidance on how to make a formal complaint, in writing to the Chair of Governors

Computing
Computing prepares our children to play an active part in the rapidly changing world in which education, work and other activities are increasingly transformed by access to varied and developing technology. Children are taught how to use, express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology .ensuring they become digitally literate. ICT at Flitcham focuses on the application of taught skills, knowledge and understanding that children need in a variety of situations across the curriculum.
Each class has timetabled ICT lessons and a scheme of work is used to teach key skills and contexts in which the five major strands of ICT. Links with local high schools enable support from specialist teaching. Children are taught to use ICT to research, analysis and presentation and become responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information technology.
Cross curricular links are made within other subjects to enable children to:
– use initiative and independent learning to make informed judgements about when to use ICT
– build and apply a range of knowledge of the uses of ICT within school and home
– apply knowledge of a range of programs to gather, present, manipulate and share ideas and information for a range of purposes
– create, test and improve sequences of instructions to make things happen and to use simulations to explore, evaluate and respond to a range of patterns, relationships and situations.

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Design and Technology
Children develop creativity and imagination through designing products that solve problems within a variety of relevant contexts , considering the needs, wants and values of themselves and others; they have opportunities to work in teams such as during the school’s ‘enterprise weeks’ where children have to produce products and sell to make a profit for charity.
They are taught technical knowledge skills and develop understanding through a variety of practical tasks using a range of tools, equipment and materials.
At Flitcham we see learning to cook as a crucial life skill. Children are taught how to cook a range of food, using a range of cooking techniques, applying the principles of healthy eating.

If you have any questions about disabled access please call us before you visit. We have a disabled parking space as well as various entrances, some of which are wheelchair friendly.

Comprehension
Comprehension skills are taught throughout the school. In EYFS children are taught how to use a range of texts to find information, how to form their opinions of a text and encouraged to share their ideas in a range of situations. From year 1 to the end of KS2 children are taught specific skills which enable them to decode the meaning of text and how to form and express their personal opinions and make comparisons. It is expected that teachers ask carefully planned questions during a reading session.

Handwriting
At Flitcham handwriting skills are taught regularly and systematically using the Nelson scheme. Children are taught correct letter formation and then basic joins. By year 5 they are encouraged to develop their own handwriting style. Children are made aware of the importance and expectations of good presentation at Flitcham.

Phonics
Phonics is taught in discrete, systematic daily sessions from the Foundation stage through Key Stage 1, using a multi-sensory approach; we continue to teach phonics in KS2 according to the needs of the children.
The focus is on the children sounding and blending unfamiliar printed words quickly and accurately.

Children are taught:
•  To discriminate between separate sounds in words
•  Grapheme-phoneme correspondences
•  To apply the skill of blending phonemes in order, all through a word to read it
•  To recognise sight vocabulary identified as tricky words (words that cannot be sounded out phonetically) and high frequency words

Reading
At Flitcham we believe our children need to ‘learn to read, to read to learn’. We are committed to developing confident readers who want to read for themselves and are passionate about teaching reading through a synthetic phonics approach using only phonic based material initially followed by a range of carefully levelled books that ensure progression.

Reading is taught systematically through the school. In the Foundation stage and KS1 Read, Write Inc reading books are used as our core resource initially, supported by Guided reading sessions. Children are taught to read mainly through a combination of structured teaching of phonics and guided reading. Reading scheme books are colour coded and children are encouraged to choose a range of books with in the band. Children take their books home and are expected to read at home as part of their homework. Boxes of high quality texts (usually picture books) are also are also This approach is built on by staff within the context of guided reading sessions.
Children are grouped according to ability and texts are selected to match interests, the topic and to support the teaching of genre being taught in writing. Text is also selected to teach learning targets to take learning further.

As a school we provide a rich reading environment, enabling children to have access to a wide range of texts. Teachers use high quality texts within their teaching across the curriculum. Through reading children are introduced to new vocabulary that can be used in their own writing and speech. All teachers read to the class purely for enjoyment; share whole texts, enabling children to listen and respond to the text together; quiet reading time is also built into the school day. We also promote use of the local library and participate in Book Week every year where we promote reading for enjoyment across the school.

Speaking and Listening
Communication and language development is key to all our children’s overall development and learning. We ensure teaching gives children opportunities to a rich language environment where their confidence and skills in expressing themselves is developed, enabling them to speak and listen in a wide range of situations and contexts. They are given opportunities to contribute to situations with different demands and are taught how to respond appropriately to others. They learn to use language in imaginative ways and express their ideas and feelings when working in role and in drama activities. We actively develop attentive listening and response.
We believe speaking and listening skills are an intrinsic part of the writing process and encourage children to say sentences before they write them.
Children are given opportunities to retell familiar stories and poems and are expected to learn them.

Spelling, punctuation and grammar
Teaching of grammar and punctuation is, wherever possible linked to texts and children are given opportunities to practise skills before they apply them in their writing. Children are expected to learn key high frequency words and are taught strategies and how to investigate spelling patterns to spell words correctly. Phonics are taught and expected to be used from reception to year 6.

Writing
Writing is embedded across the curriculum. We are committed to a systematic approach that develops children’s enthusiasm for writing and ensures they are guided and supported. The key skills of composition, planning and drafting, punctuation, spelling, grammar and handwriting are taught explicitly in literacy lessons but also indirectly through cross-curricular writing in other subjects. We believe that for children to become successful writers they need to be immersed in good models before they begin writing. Close links are made between reading and writing and during this time children are encouraged to ‘steal’ language features and use them in their writing. Children are taught, through modelling, skills needed to write a range of non-fiction texts. In fictional writing we follow the Pie Corbett model where children are taught through:
Imitating – rewriting a well-known story
Innovating – keeping the same story structure but changing characters/setting/details
Inventing – inventing children’s own story using a theme from a well-known story.
Children are taught to use a range of planning, including ‘boxing up’; skeleton models are often used to plan non-fiction. Children are asked to produce a piece of writing at the beginning of a unit and then at the end to assess their learning.
Where ever possible links are made to topics and children are given opportunities to practices writing in relevant learning. We strongly believe that a child needs to be able to say the sentence before they write it. Therefor children are taught to rehearse saying sentences before they write. There is a focus on retelling familiar stories, nursery rhymes and poems from reception. Oral rehearsal is modelled by staff and weaved into literacy lessons.

If you require after or before school care, please ask in the office and we can suggest several child minders. Our wrap around service offers child care from 8am to 5:20pm.

Flitcham’s Approach to Assessment

With the introduction of the New National Curriculum in September 2014, the government decided to remove assessment levels using 2c, 2b,2a etc that we are all familiar with and allow schools to develop their own ways of assessing children’s progress.

We still need however to assess progress and achievement against the National Curriculum and at Flitcham we wanted to keep the good practice in our academy and have given great consideration to what is a Flitcham approach. 

The National Curriculum sets out what children are expected to know, understand and learn. It is set out in year groups and for each year group there is a series of statements for each subject describing what teachers must teach and more importantly what children should learn. We are using these statements in English and mathematics to assess each child’s progress against age-related expectations. This ensures teachers use assessment information to help teachers plan what they teach to deepen children’s learning or move it forward.

We are now using the phrases – working below age related expectations, working at age related expectations and working above age related expectations to describe children’s progress against the statements for each year group. By the end of the year most children will be assessed as working at an ‘expected level’ within the age related expectations. Some may be assessed as working above expected level for their year -and some may not achieve ‘expected’ standards there for will be assessed as working below. Children will be assessed if they are accurate, quick and can apply what they have been taught and if they are achieving 80% of the year group statements at the end of a year.

Teacher’s assessments of the children’s achievements and progress are measured through a range of ways including discussions with children, work in class books, tests in reading and mathematics. These all build a picture of what children can do. 

Children are also be given an assessment booklet to enable them to be aware of their achievements, what their next steps of learning are and be part of their assessment process.
In EYFS there has been no change in the end of year assessments – yet! From September 2015 Flitcham children will be assessed using the Early Excellence Baseline Assessment during their first 6 weeks in school.

Parents are always offered a time to discuss their child’s progress with the class teacher three time during each academic year. At the end of each year children take home a full report detailing progress and achievements across the curriculum.

Geography
Geography is concerned with the study of places, the human and physical processes which shape the people who live in them. It helps children to gain a greater understanding of the ways of life and cultures of people in their own and other environments.
Through local investigations, studies of places outside the local area –visiting whenever possible
They are taught about significant places and human and physical characteristics throughout the world; an understanding of how to use geographical information such as maps, globes and Geographical Information Systems; and communicate geographical information in a variety of ways.

History
Through teaching history we want children at Flitcham to gain a secure knowledge of Britain’s past and that of the wider world, inspiring their curiosity to know more about the past.

Following the programmes of study, we teach the key areas (historical interpretation, enquiry and being able to organise and communicate feelings) of history through: learning about themselves and their families; comparing lives of significant people and aspects of life in historical periods; significant events in living and beyond living memory in their own locality and further afield. Children develop a chronological knowledge and understanding of periods studied, learning that actions and events in the past have shaped and influenced our world today and how actions and events in the world today will shape and affect the future. We teach children to use correct vocabulary relating to the passing of time and an understanding of abstract terms such as ‘parliament’ and ‘empire’ and are given opportunities to develop their reference and enquiry skills through the use of primary and secondary resources such as visitors to school, artefacts and visits to historical places and museum.

Parents play a vital role in their child’s education and homework is an important part of this progress. We ask parents to oversee the tasks but encourage their children to complete homework tasks on their own. Parents can help their children by providing an environment that allows a child to do their best by giving them a quiet working space, discussing it with them and by visiting the local library or giving access to the internet.

Children will be given homework every Friday. Every child is encouraged to read at home each evening from the books provided. Whilst teachers will ensure that home reading books are at the appropriate level, they will use other books and reading material in school each day to teach children to read.

Languages
Children learn a foreign language in KS2 at Flitcham to enable them to make substantial progress in one language through a balance of teaching written and spoken language. It helps develop communication skills including key skills of speaking and listening and extends their knowledge of how language works.
At Flitcham children are taught to develop and extend their knowledge of how language works and explore differences and similarities between the foreign language and English through engaging in conversations, speaking in sentences, reading and understanding and presenting ideas in the language studied. Children learn to broaden vocabulary, creating sentences from memory and adapting them to create new ones. Accurate pronunciation and intonation is taught and patterns and sounds of language are explored through songs and rhymes.

Introduction
We expect teaching to be at least good and outstanding at Flitcham Church of England Primary School – our children deserve it.

Aim
It is the aim of the policy to support, encourage and develop life long learners, through providing them with rich high quality learning experiences which lead to a consistently high quality of achievement. It ensures opportunity for all and ensures that we keep children’s needs, strengths, interests and progress central to our work with high expectations that are consistent throughout the school.

At Flitcham we are passionate about children’s learning and have a relentless pursuit of even better learning outcomes for children.
The teachers’ Standards (2012) have been used to inform our learning and teaching policy.
The standards are as follows:

A teacher must:

Key Principles
Teaching at Flitcham Church of England Primary School is ‘learning centred’, meaning that each element of whole school and classroom practice is designed with an understanding of how children learn best at its heart.

At Flitcham we acknowledge that teaching is good and outstanding and children learn best when:

• learning activities are well planned, closely matched to abilities and ensuring good progress and outcomes
• Good and outstanding teaching and learning activities enthuse, engage foster their curiosity, enthusiasm and love of learning
• Systematic, accurate assessment is used effectively to check children’s understanding and inform future learning to ensure provision for support, no repetition and extension of learning for each child at each level of attainment
• The learning environment is ordered; children are encouraged to be independent learners; the atmosphere is purposeful and children feel safe.
• There are strong links between home and school, and the importance of their children’s learning is recognised, valued and developed

Key Principal
Children learn best when learning activities are well planned, closely matched to abilities and ensuring good achievement and rapid, sustained improvement. 

There will be evidence in the learning environment of:

• effective exposition and focussed learning activities with clear learning objectives and outcomes
• progress in children’s learning (in their books, displayed, through discussion, in their learning behaviour)
• a clear understanding by the children of expectations and purpose of activities
• children applying a wide range of skills across all subjects – including reading
• are interested and motivated, challenged and stimulated
• taking responsibility for their own learning
• children sharing their views about school and the wider community
• children choosing to study a particular area of interest in more detail
• a clear understanding by the children of the task and learning outcome

Teachers will ensure that:

• topic webs are brainstormed to include children’s interests and what they would like to learn and inform planning and displayed
• teaching focuses on the children, building on their skills, knowledge and understanding of the curriculum
• teaching is adapted to meet the strength and needs of children
• work is planned weekly to ensure robust subject teaching and put into context
• plans follow the progression of skills on our curriculum plan
• planning shows awareness of children’s prior knowledge, skills and understanding
• links to other subjects are clear in planning
• there is a clear understanding by the children of the task and learning outcome
• children are given tasks that match their ability
• skills learned in English and maths are applied across the curriculum
• enrichment opportunities are provided for learning beyond the classroom
• opportunities are provided to apply skills and knowledge in practical ways to solve problems in a variety of situations
• children are given choices about how to present their work
• children’s understanding is systematically checked throughout lessons
• planning is shared with LAs and their own records of learning are kept

Whole school implications:

• there is a four year rolling curriculum framework that is broad and balanced and designed to deliver the key objectives of the National Curriculum while developing the key skills for each subject – setting out aims, objectives and details of what is taught in year groups, ensuring depth and progression
• topic based schemes of work, that all staff follow are detailed in subject specific policies – see attached appendix.
• a monitoring cycle is in place to support progress of individuals and groups of learners
• create and maintain an exciting and stimulating learning, including ‘whole school themed weeks’
• ensure ALL children have full access to ALL parts of the curriculum

Key Principal
Children learn best when teaching and learning activities enthuse, engage and motive them to learn, and when they foster their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.

There will be evidence in the learning environment of:

• creative teaching and learning 
• consistently high expectations of children
• pace of learning and teaching that is optimised for progress and high quality outcomes
• children learning independently
• children collaborating on projects
• children enjoying their learning
• children’s home learning being valued
• teamwork and debate – choosing the role they play
• learning activities that enthuse children so that they preserver when faced with difficult problems and are keen to succeed and to learn more

Teachers will make sure that:

• questioning and discussion is used effectively to assess children’s learning
• effective teaching strategies successfully engage ALL children in their learning
• relevant learning outcomes are shared
• they use their expertise, including subject knowledge, to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding in a structured way across the range of subjects and areas of learning
• questioning, knowledgeable answers and discussion promotes deeper learning
• there are opportunities for children to practise skills taught
• appropriate home-learning is set to nurture enthusiasm and curiosity, and develop understanding in the areas taught
• outdoors and places of interest are used to enhance learning
• there are opportunities for children to discuss, debate and vote for issues in their learning

Whole school implications:

• learning and achievements, both within school and at home are celebrated regularly in public forums such as celebration assemblies, newsletters, display boards, website, displays of work – e.g. Flitcham writers
• whole school themes are discussed as a school to motivate learners
• verbal or written praise by all adults and peers

Key Principle
Children learn best when assessment informs teaching so that there is provision for support, repetition and extension of learning for each child, at each level of attainment

There will be evidence in the learning environment of:

• children using frequent, detailed and accurate feedback from teacher, both oral and written, to improve their learning – e.g. redrafting writing in collaboration with the teacher; responding to written comments in books
• children who are motivated to learn through differentiated learning activities that build on prior attainment and give challenge that is pitched at a level that is achievable when they work hard and try their best
• children with specific learning needs receiving support at the time and level it is required to optimise learning
• children supporting each other where appropriate
• independent learning, where children use assessment information to direct their own learning activity
• effective use of learning support to further the learning of individual or groups of children.

Teachers will make sure that: 

• The pace and depth of learning is maximised as a result of their monitoring of learning during lessons
• Marking is frequent and regular (all work should be marked within a week) providing children with very clear guidance on how learning outcomes can be improved or learning can be moved forward
• They have high expectations for ALL children, and plan, resource and direct differentiated learning activities that support and challenge
• They keep agreed assessment records (reading records, phonic tracker/spelling sheets, ) and submit data to enable Pupil Data Tracking (maths, reading, writing) at an agreed date each term.
• A range of evidence is used to assess children’s work across the curriculum.
• Work is marked in a coloured pen
• Children are always expected to apply their individual learning targets to ALL their work
• Informal assessment levels are periodically noted on a significant piece of work
• Half termly targets in reading, writing and maths are shared with children and displayed in the classroom during the first week in each half term
• Individual targets are written in children’s books in maths, writing, science and reading folders
• Planned opportunities are given to children to respond to teachers’ marking/comments

In EYFS

• on entry assessments are made in the first half term based on on-going observations  of children engaged in appropriate activities in areas of learning and used as a base line
• during the year assessments are made through observations and talking to the children mostly during child initiated activities children and parents are encouraged to contribute – formal assessments may be used to assess aspects of reading and writing
• a summative record is kept in the form of a scrap book and evidence includes photos, annotated plans, observations recorded on post its and written work

Whole school implications:

• there is a clear assessment policy to ensure consistency of practice
• there is an efficient system for pupil tracking in place; data is scrutinised rigorously in staff meetings; data is used in the deployment of resources
• staff, children and families are supported in their teaching and learning, providing advice and intervention where necessary
• staff follow a school and cluster based standardisation activities (and attend LEA moderation when requested)
• the end of each half term children’s learning is assessed and they are given National Curriculum levels in reading, writing and maths.
• At the end of EYFS assessments are made using ELGs
• at the end of KS1 formal assessments are made using SATs to support teacher’s judgements (end of Y1 phonic assessments are carried out)
• at the end of KS2 formal SATs are carried out

Key Principle
Children learn best when the learning environment is ordered, the atmosphere is purposeful and they feel safe.

There will be evidence in the learning environment of:

• an atmosphere of mutual respect and kindness between adults and children
• children who feel secure to speak freely, in an environment free from bullying and harassment, that my include prejudice based bullying related to special educational need, sexual orientation, sex, race, religion, and belief, gender reassignment or disability
• children’s high esteem, with all children feeling valued and secure
• children taking risks in their learning and learning from their mistakes
• children’s learning outcomes displayed in the classroom (maths, reading and writing)
• organisation of classroom routines optimise learning
• having a well organised, labelled resources
• taking time to train children in procedures
• making sure that they know what they must do when they have completed a task
• children being able to find what they need and put them away without constantly asking an adult.

Teachers will make sure that:

• they teach children how to behave well
• ensure that all tasks and activities that the children do are safe
• they use positive strategies for managing children’s behaviour that help children understand school’s expectations that are set out in the school’s behaviour policy
• good behaviour is modelled by them at all times in their interaction with children and other adults with conflict dealt with in a calm and fair manner – they will not shout or lose their temper
• children will be encouraged in their learning and their efforts will be praised both in the classroom and assemblies
• children are spoken to, where ever possible, away from other children
• any criticism will be constructive and children’s self esteem will always be maintained

Implications for the whole school:

• a clear behaviour policy is in place and all adults working in the school have complete understanding of its contents so it is applied consistently and fairly
• high expectations of behaviour, including children’s punctuality and attendance are communicated to and shared by all children, parents and staff
• all rules are discussed with the children on a regular basis and children are aware of boundaries of behaviour
• safeguarding procedures are in place and followed

Key Principle
Children learn best when there are strong links between home and school, and the importance of parental involvement in their children’s learning is recognised, valued and developed.

There will be evidence in the environment of:

• children’s home learning being valued as an important part of child’s learning

Teachers will make sure that:

• useful feedback about their children’s learning is given regularly to parent, both informally and formally, through termly parent/teacher meetings and an annual written report
• parents know how they can support their child’s learning at home or in school
• they are approachable and available to parents (by appointment if necessary)
• information about trips, class and school events, and other relevant topics are communicated efficiently to parents.
• parents are welcomed to help around school or in the class
• they set appropriate home learning activities to develop children’s understanding of topics covered in class and to consolidate learning

Whole school implications:

• ensure parents are informed about school events and relevant topics through regular newsletters and website.
• ensure staff to be involved and support in PTA meetings and events.
• organise curriculum evenings for parents to inform them about how children learn in Flitcham.
• invite parents and wider community to events such as sports day, art displays, lunches e.t.c.

Mathematics
At Flitcham Primary School we follow the National Curriculum. Teachers ensure children are taught mathematics at a level which is appropriate to their individual needs. We have a high expectation for all children, ensuring that there is challenge and support at all times.
Mathematics is taught daily. Each lesson that has a high proportion of whole-class and group focussed or individual teaching. Considerable importance is attached to the children achieving and understanding mathematical processes, concepts and skills.
A positive attitude is encouraged by presenting it in an interesting and enjoyable way, allowing the children to actively participate in the learning process, thus creating a sense of achievement and confidence. We make lessons fun, interactive and relevant.
There is a strong emphasis throughout the year groups for the development of mental arithmetic.c We teach a wide range of written and mental strategies for the four rules and ensure progression for this throughout the school. Where appropriate every effort is made to use mathematics within other subjects in order to provide a cross curricular approach; children are given opportunities to use and apply mathematics in real life situations.
Children are encouraged to ask as well as answer mathematical questions and engage in discussions; learning from each other, misconceptions and mistakes. Opportunities are given to investigate and discuss ways to solve problems. Teachers may leave days free from planning to recap or consolidate concepts.

Children who have prescribed inhalers for asthma are asked to keep them in their school bags. Academy staff will not administer any medication unless agreed in a medical care plan.

Music
We value music at Flitcham as a powerful and unique form of communication that can change the way children feel, think and act but also believe it increases self-discipline and creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and fulfilment. We want our children to leave Flitcham with an appreciation and understanding of how music is composed and performed.
As part of the Norfolk music hub, working with a county peripatetic music teacher, partnerships with our feeder high school and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment we provide activities that develop musical concepts and skills sequentially. Awareness is developed of different cultures and traditions and an understanding of a wide variety of styles through listening to music. Enjoyment of music is encouraged. Children are taught a range of songs, including hymns, traditional and modern songs.
In KS2 children are able to have extra curricular music lessons, learning to play woodwind instruments. All children in years 5 and 6 are taught to play a brass instrument. All children have opportunities to listen to and perform in solo or ensemble contexts by singing and playing instruments, with other schools, adults and professionals.

Organising and Labeling
We chose to retain a literacy hour and numeracy hour, with additional opportunities for reading and isolated guided reading although groups may often be taught rather than whole class teaching
Topics are planned around foundation subjects, linked with numeracy and literacy as much as possible.
We decided that RE, PE, ICT, PSHE, MFL, and Music should also be taught in isolation.

Why a themed approach
It:
• Allows us to cover a broader range of subjects and skills by teaching more than one Subject at once
• Allows us to motivate children by getting them interested in a topic
• Sustains children’s interest through prolonged focus
• Improves children’s writing by giving them something to both write about and the motivation to want to write.
• Enables genuine use of different text types such as explanations and recounts in a real context
• Allows children and teachers to pursue interests and enthusiasm

Our school aims to
• promote high standards in reading, writing and maths
• enable children to acquire knowledge and skills in science
• enable children to be confident in computing
• enable children to be aware of the importance of and participate in the arts and related cultural themes
• provide equality of access and the opportunity for all children to make progress
• develop an enjoyment of learning and a desire for lifelong learning
• promote spiritual development
• promote physical and mental development and an awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle
• enable children to develop moral sensibility through carefully taught values
• develop awareness, understanding of and respect for their environment,
• provide rich and varied contexts so children can acquire, develop and apply a range of knowledge, understanding and skills
• encourage children to think creatively and critically to solve problems
• promote children’s self-esteem and emotional well-being to enable them to form worthwhile relationships
• prepare children for the next steps in their education; opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life

The curriculum is planned effectively, providing continuity and progression. It promotes enjoyment of learning and a commitment to learning and achieving. Through the provision of rich and varied activities we want all our children to:

• make the best possible progress and highest attainment
• Learn: to be adaptable; how to solve problems in a variety of situations; how to work independently and as a member of a team
• think creatively and solve problems
• Begin acquiring a set of moral values, such as honesty, sincerity, personal responsibility on which to base their own behaviour
• Care for and take pride in their school
• behave in a dignified and acceptable way and learn to become responsible for their actions
• develop tolerance, respect and appreciation of the feelings and capabilities of others in an unbiased way
• know how to solve problems in a variety of situations using concepts of number, algebra, measurement, shape, and space and handling data
• be able to listen and read for a variety of purposes and be able to convey their meaning accurately and appropriately through speech and writing for a variety of purposes
• develop an enquiring mind and scientific approach to problems
• have the opportunity to solve problems using technological skills
• Be capable of communicating their knowledge and feelings through various art forms including art and craft, drama, and music and acquire appropriate techniques which will enable them to develop inventiveness and creativity
• Know about geographical, historical and social aspects of the local environment and national heritage and be aware of other times and places and recognise links among family, local, national and international events
• Have some knowledge of beliefs of the major world religions
• Develop physical co-ordination, agility and confidence in and through movement
• Know how to apply the basic principles of health, hygiene and safety

Our Approach to the Curriculum

At Flitcham our curriculum has been taken from the National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage documentation. It is organised into integrated topics or themes and links are made where ever possible to other subjects

We discussed what kind of school we are. What kinds of learning are important to our children and what subjects are priorities and what emphasis do we want to place.
It was agreed that we valued the additional PE we already offer and that we needed to maintain our strong links with local high schools. These provide classes for our more able children in Music, Maths, and Science as well as arts support and PE support throughout the school.

Our Curriculum Framework forms the basis of our long term planning. It provides an overview of the areas of the curriculum the children are taught over the year. We asked ourselves ‘What do we want the children to get out of it’?’ and ‘What do we want the children to learn?’ Our framework is planned to ensure coverage and continuity and to develop children’s knowledge, understanding and appreciation of their own beliefs and cultures. It is flexible to ensure progression in our children’s learning; topics (built on the programmes of study) are on a two year rolling programme. (Detailed, mid-term planning is made available for staff to follow in some subject areas.) Less detailed short term plans are encouraged, enabling children’s strengths and consolidation to be taken into account during the week.

Reflecting staff, parents, Governors and above all our children’s vision of what should be taught and how, it is a more creative, cross curricular approach including an extended curriculum – a greater use the community, to extend the children’s learning and meet the Every Child Matters Agenda. Additional opportunities and experiences enhance learning in national curriculum subjects as much as possible within and outside taught time. Using a brainstorm of activities, a topic is devised then we consider what the best learning sequence will be.

Children are involved in planning their learning at this stage to find out what they already know and what they would like to learn. A learning map is displayed in a shared area. The topic may be introduced as a whole school, but we try wherever possible to use visits/visitors and creativity to engage children and ensure there is a ‘WOW’ factor.

We are committed to working with parents and carers in a positive partnership at all stages of your child’s education.

The Academy is dedicated to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with you and share information about your child’s progress and actively seek your support and involvement in our work.

When your child joins our Academy you will be invited to an informal meeting where you will be given information about Academy life and offered an opportunity for a Home/Academy visit where there will be an opportunity to share information about your child with their teacher.

A Home-Academy Agreement is given to all new parents and children.

There many opportunities for families to come in and ‘learn’ alongside their children during ‘Family Links’ sessions and family clubs after school.

You are also very welcome to join us for special family lunches and our Friday morning ‘sharing assemblies’.

Physical Education
At Flitcham we teach PE to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding so they can perform with increasing competence and confidence, fairness and respect in a range of physical activities. We provide opportunities for children to be creative, competitive and to tackle challenges as individuals, groups and teams through providing a minimum of 2 hours each week core provision which is enhanced with a number of extra-curricular opportunities and clubs. We work in partnership with a number of external partners, including the School Sports Partnership (SSP) and our feeder high school, to assist with the quality of provision and INSET. We support competitive activities with opportunities within school as well as across local schools and county competitions via our SSP. All children have swimming lessons in six week blocks and all learn to swim before they leave Flitcham.
We work hard to encourage all children to realise the importance of leading a healthy, active lifestyle and offer a wide range of sporting experiences for our children, including sailing, archery, fencing and outdoor activity residential trips.

We are really lucky to have a fantastic PTA, (Parent Teacher Association) who organise many fun family events and raise huge amounts of money for the academy!

Flitcham principals

• We ensure learning and teaching opportunities meet the needs of all Flitcham children. A key priority is to ensure that gaps in performance are narrowed and all children make at least expected progress.
• We ensure that appropriate provision is made for children who belong to vulnerable groups, including socially (and rurally) disadvantaged.
• We recognise that not all children who receive free school meals (FSM) will be socially disadvantaged but also not all children who may be socially disadvantaged are eligible for FSM. There for at Flitcham we will use funding to support any group of children following a need analysis. NB As a school we have a low % or socially disadvantaged children.
• Pupil premium funding will be used to address the issue of ‘’narrowing the gap’’ for all groups of children and support learning and enrichment experiences.

In 2014 – 2015 we received £9100

Funding enabled us to:

• Buy additional hours for 2 Teaching Assistants time which enabled us to:

-allow the teacher to offer more targeted personalized teaching in maths

-Intervention groups in phonics and spelling and additional Guided reading sessions

-provide breakfast club places/after school clubs for all children and offer archery which was a particular interest for children generating pupil premium

Teaching assistants cost :

In year2 cost was /3 £5130, in year 4/5/6 cost was £3264

Remaining amount supplemented clubs costs.

Impact:

• Improved attendance- now above NA at 97.2%
• 100% pass – children in KS1 re- taking Phonics Assessment
• At the end of KS1 all children met targets and made expected progress except one child in writing who had only been in school for two terms. There were no children at the end of KS2 who generated funding.

Due to very small groups of children who generate pupil premium funding we do not give detailed information the website, however this is available in school .

Allocation for 2015 – 2016 is  £11,880

Planned expenditure

• Subsidise salary of fulltime teacher to maintain small classes to enable children who find working in larger classes challenging to continue  to make similar progress in  their learning
• Providing more personalised teaching focusing on English and maths.
• Providing breakfast club places to ensure best possible start to the school day.

Allocation for 2016 – 2017 £9,240

Religious Education
At Flitcham we follow the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus, which develops continuity and progression in Religious Education, and this forms the basis of our teaching supported by a scheme of work. Our teaching is non-denominational with a strong enquiry based approach to learning where they are encouraged to identify puzzling questions and suggest answers; considering questions concerning the meaning and purpose of life. Children are given opportunities to consider their own and others experiences, attitudes and values through learning from and about religion. Through developing a knowledge and understanding of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism they are taught to explore issues within and between faiths to help them understand and respect different beliefs, values and traditions, understanding the importance of religion to many people and how it affects their daily lives. We follow the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus recommended time for RE of 36 hours each year for KS1 and 45 hours for KS2.

The Governors have agreed to adopt the DNEAT policy for Use of Safe Images in school. Parents will be advised if photographs are being taken in school and will be asked to give permission for the use of any images.

Science
At Flitcham we teach science through a topic approach, our framework taken from the National Curriculum to ensure knowledge and concepts are built upon. Children are taught the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science mostly through first hand, practical experiences and appropriate secondary sources such as books, photographs and videos. They are helped to develop their own understanding of science by using choosing the most appropriate type of enquiry to answer their own questions. Children learn to work scientifically through specific subject teaching following the programmes of study. They are taught (and expected to use and spell correctly) correct terminology and specialist vocabulary; given opportunities to develop methods of systematic enquiry (predicting, planning, doing, concluding); and explore science concepts by questioning, hypothesising and testing their ideas (often using fair testing).

At Flitcham we aspire to prepare every child for the challenge and changes of the future so they can achieve the highest standards in their personal development, building resilience and encouraging perseverance. In order to do this many steps are taken to support them through their learning journey. Quality first teaching is vital. However, for some children there are occasions when further additional support may be needed to help them achieve their targets.

Sports Funding  

April 2014-2015 £8,000 sports funding received

Our P.E. and School Sport funding this year has enabled us to:

• Host and run cluster KS1 Sports competitions and KS2 Sports festivals and participate in cluster events
• To increase participation levels in competitive sport g. swimming, archery
• Continue to give opportunities for children to try new sports that they may continue to take part in as they grow older e.g. sailing, archery during curriculum time
• To improve the quality of P.E. teaching through working with Jo Dickson from West Norfolk Sports Partnership
• Encourage children less keen to take part in sport by offering clubs they are interested in such as speed stacking, archery, hand ball, tennis, multi sports
• Improve the health, fitness and skills of years 4, 5 and 6 through working with EduFit.
• Include a Sports and Health week for children and families
• Improve staff confidence in teaching a wider range of sports
• Provide sports activities during a summer club
• Introduce children to new sports

Impact:

• Increased participation in competitive sports – inter school Swimming gala, interschool archery competition– academy hosted a KS1/EYFS interschool sporting day.
• Increased attendance of after school Sports/holiday clubs – engaging least active children
• All children participate in all curriculum sporting activities – all aware of need to exercise
• KS2 children who worked with Edufit all had increased fitness – meeting goals set
• Children who attended sailing lessons achieved Stage One certificate for sailing

Allocation for 2015 – 2016 is £8,360

Funding will continue to be used for:

• Continue to employ a specialist PE teacher from local high school to work alongside teachers in lessons to increase subject knowledge and confidence in PE – including training for staff to enable them to take after school clubs
• KS2 children to take part in Edufit fitness and skills training
• To provide children who are gifted and talented in a sport with equipment and expert coaching and opportunities to compete in county competitions
• Provide places in after school sports clubs and holiday clubs
• Pay for an outdoor activity day for whole school
• INSET programme for staff working with Cluster Sports Co-ordinator
• Sailing lessons for Yrs 5/6

Allocation for 2016 – 2017 £8,300

All staff are involved in the school professional development programme which is linked to the School’s Improvement Plan. Staff hold weekly meetings and attend high quality training to enable us to maintain high standards.

Term Dates - on Norfolk County Council

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