Saint Lawrence Church of England Primary School

Governors Report

"We are extremely proud of our school here in Skellingthorpe, and our successes, each as a direct result of the enthusiasm and energy of our children, the dedication of our staff and the support from both parents and friends."

Working in Partnership

Teachers and the Lead Learner strive to work in partnership with parents on the education of their children. We welcome parents’ interest and are happy to arrange appointments to discuss your child’s progress and how we may best further it. Parents are also invited to discuss their child’s progress with teachers at meetings held each term.  At these meetings, where appointments are made for short discussions, parents will be informed how their children are progressing in all aspects of their work.  Motivation, attitudes to learning and social development will be discussed, along with possible ‘targets for development’.

Parents are encouraged to view these meetings as helpful, informative and supportive to the child’s educational development and a basis for positive links between home and school.

In the Summer Term a written report is sent to parents.

Parents are welcomed in school to look, enquire or help. We encourage parents to come in and help out in school in a variety of ways. If you have some time or expertise, which you could offer, it would be greatly appreciated. You could help out in any class in school, where you will be under the supervision and guidance of the class teacher. You are covered by the LA insurance, providing that you register as an Authorised Volunteer. We keep a register of volunteers. If you would like to help, please contact the school.

All schools have to provide parents with a Home School Agreement. A copy of this is sent to you with each child. It should be signed and returned to the office, please, where it will also be signed on behalf of the school and then returned to you.

The Statement of Policy for the Home School Agreement is available from school.

If your child is absent due to illness or visits to medical practitioners, notification is required. Please telephone or write a note for any sort of absence. In order to ensure that all our pupils stay as safe as is humanly possible, we are asking parents to let us know by telephone when their child will be away from school because they are ill. For children who are noted as being absent from school and where the school has not been informed, we will always try to telephone you to ascertain the reason for the child's absence. If children are not returning home in the normal way, parents should contact the school giving details about alternative arrangements.

Absences from school, for other reasons, must be requested by the parents. Failure to comply with these rules will result in an 'unauthorised absence' being recorded. Absence for family holidays is not encouraged. Where it cannot be avoided, please write to request permission from the school.

The professional skills of teachers will generally prevent behavioural problems occurring. These skills include the preparation of work which provides challenge and stimulus to meet the needs of pupils.
We teach children to respect and care for one another, demonstrating good moral standards and the ability to sympathise with the needs of others.

Rules are kept to a minimum. Each classroom may display a set of rules or responsibilities. They are based on our responsibility for the health and safety of pupils, and respect for the needs and property of others. They are devised by the children.

Good behaviour is positively encouraged and offered as an example to others.

Attitudes of kindness and fairness, diligence to hard work, and perseverance in overcoming difficulties are values and achievements openly discussed and rewarded with house points, stickers, achievement awards or merit cards.

Bullying is a form of behaviour that can occur in any school.  Parents and pupils are encouraged to inform teachers of any incidents that cause problems as soon as possible, so that they can be dealt with expediently. Bullying in any form will not be tolerated.

The school uses a wide range of positive rewards to help motivate children and to highlight the pleasure they receive by having their achievements publicly recognised. Inappropriate behaviour can change if good behaviour is positively reinforced. Our school has a role to play in developing a sense of responsibility and in promoting consideration towards others. We do this by:

• recognising everyday acts of consideration towards others;
• by encouraging older children to look out for and take care of younger ones;
• by encouraging all pupils to look out for children who might have become the target of teasing or bullying.

Good behaviour will be rewarded by recognition, either immediately to the child concerned or publicly in class or assembly Stickers may be awarded for any instances where a child has tried hard and has improved by his own standards. Merit Points will also be awarded for good conduct and good work. The merit points are totalled at the end of each week. A cup is awarded at the end of each week which is displayed with the appropriate coloured ribbon and a trophy at the end of the year. Each child also has a ‘collector’s card’ to keep track of their own points. Bronze certificates are given after 12 Team Points have been gained (and later silver for a further 12 points). The gold award, after the final 12 points, also includes a book prize.

Friday’s assembly will be an opportunity to celebrate achievement, including the awarding of Pride Cups. Our Prize Giving at the end of each year also celebrates success and progress with book awards for each of the winners. Special awards may be given to children who have made particular progress in any area.

As a general rule we accept that children should be PRAISED IN PUBLIC AND PUNISHED IN PRIVATE; and that it is the behaviour that should be praised or punished rather than the child.