OUR SCHOOL       Prospectus Contents

We can be found in the centre of the village of Doddington situated in a valley which is part of the North Downs surrounded by trees, fields and open spaces.

Our school was built in 1877 and benefits from the classical looks of the Victorian exterior while having an interior has been improved to fit with modern teaching.

One of the classrooms opens to an enclosed outside play area where children in the foundation Stage (YR) can experience a range of learning activities through play. 

Our facilities include a playground, two playing fields, an outdoor swimming pool with solar heating, a small enclosed wildlife pond and a nature trail. 

There is also an ‘After School Club’.

Our school is part of a consortium of schools called Rural Swale.

We are also members of a group of small primary schools, who join together for activities such as music, sporting events, theatre visits and educational workshops.

We value these joint activities as they help our children to develop wider social and communication skills as well as allowing then to mix with children they may meet when they change schools at eleven.

ADMISSIONS and TRANSFERS       Prospectus Contents

The choice of school for your child is one of the most significant decisions which, as parents, you have to make.

I would like to meet you and introduce our school to you. Come and see the pupils and teachers at work and get a real feel of the atmosphere of the school.

All you need do is telephone me on 01795 886298 to make an appointment for an informal visit by you and your child.

Admissions to Reception Class

Children usually start school in the September of the academic year in which they are five. At this school we admit all children at this time, initially on a part-time basis for the first two weeks and then on a phased basis so that by half term all children are full time. 

If your child needs a longer period of time to settle into school, we will be happy to discuss this with you so that your son or daughter really does have the best start to their school career.

Parents may have their child’s name recorded for future admission at any age. Prior to the children starting school all parents will receive an admissions booklet and Common Application Form in January. This should be completed and returned to the school by the deadline indicated on the form. Confirmation of places will be in May and allocated according to the published admissions criteria.  These are:-

1. Children in Local Authority Care
2. Current family association (an older brother/sister at the time of entry)
3. Health reasons (for which a medical certificate may be needed)
4. Proximity of the parental home and ease of access to school.

In the unlikely event of the schools standard number being exceeded parents may appeal in writing to the East Kent Area Education Office.

A New Parents Information Evening is held during the Summer Term in conjunction with the children starting Pre-school sessions for the second half of the Summer Term to allow them to become familiar with school routines and to get to know the staff.

Parents of disabled children are asked to give the Head teacher details of the disability before accepting a place at the school. It is important that ways can be found to enable the child to take as full a part as possible in the life of the school and ways in which such difficulties can be overcome.

Unfortunately there is limited access for wheelchairs in this old building. The Governors would have to give careful consideration to admitting any pupil who needs to spend all his/her time in a wheelchair.

Transfer to Secondary Education

Pupils in their final Year at Primary School may be assessed for placement at a Grammar or High School under the County’s Selection procedure.  A pamphlet explaining this is sent to all parents during the Autumn Term of Year 6.   Choices are discussed with parents and take into account pupil assessments.  The school staff liaise closely with Secondary colleagues to ensure the smooth transfer of our pupils.

The School Day

The school day begins when the bell is rung at 8.58 am.  We have three teaching sessions before finishing for lunch at 12.15 pm.  The afternoon starts at 1.15 pm and ends for all children at 3.15 pm.

During the academic year there are 5 days allocated for staff training when the children do not attend school.

At the governors’ discretion, school finishes at 2.15 pm on the last day of each term.

HEALTH and WELFARE       Prospectus Contents

Behaviour and Discipline

We expect this school to be an orderly community where pupils and staff work cooperatively and efficiently.  All pupils are expected to be helpful and responsible, to be courteous and considerate to one another at all times.

The school rules are set out in the Behaviour Policy (available separately).  This policy is intended to promote the care, safety and educational well being of each pupil.  Examples of this policy feature regularly in assemblies at the start of a term, in circle time and when appropriate.

Good behaviour is promoted through encouragement, praise and rewards e.g. achiever of the week, Top Table and Top Person.

Toys in School

Toys are permitted in school only when the class teachers have requested them for a whole class topic.

House System

We have recently developed a House system whereby each child is allocated to one of four houses.  This will encourage the children to work cooperatively with inter house football matches, sports events etc.

School Council

We have a School Council involving children from Yr1 to Yr6, who meet to discuss school business on a regular basis.

Medicines and Medication

If your child is unwell, we will make every effort to contact you.  It is very important that we have up-to-date home/work telephone numbers or other contact numbers.  Until we have contacted you, we will take any action required in the interests of the child.  If your child is ill before school begins, please do not send them to school on that day.

If your child suffers a blow to the head, you will always be notified.

Although we will always care for children who become ill at school, any necessary medical treatment or administering of medicines will be carried out in accordance with our School Medication Policy.  Parents should complete the medication form obtainable from the school office before staff can administer any medication.  Parents naturally have responsibility for the care of their children, and from time to time may need to discuss medical matters with the Headteacher.

From time to time the school suffers an outbreak of head lice.  If your child shows symptoms of head lice infestation, please contact the school for guidance in line with advice which the school will have received from the Health Authority.

The school nurse attends school during the year to do a medical examination of the children in Yr1.  If you have any concerns regarding your child’s hearing or vision at any age she can undertake various tests when she makes this visit. If your child has to visit the doctor, dentist or clinic during school time, please inform both the class teacher and the office. 

When collecting your child for an appointment, please come to the school office and speak to a member of staff before you take your child out of school. 
We will also give you a ‘pink’ form authorising the absence from school, as you may be approached by Truancy Officers, checking on children of school age, who are not actually in school.

Religious worship and Collective Worship

Although the school has no affiliation with a religious denomination we are proud that OFSTED found the provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral social and cultural development to be ‘a strength of the school’.  Our pupils experience a range of opportunities to enable them to develop an understanding and interest in their own culture and the culture of others in a world context.

A daily act of worship and assembly takes place each day.  In line with the 1988 Education Act these are ‘broadly Christian’.  Parents have the right to withdraw their child/ children from either RE lessons or worship.  Any parent wishing to exercise this right should notify the Headteacher in writing.  We have regular contact with the local church when lay preachers and the priest-in-charge come into school to take an assembly.

Parents are invited to attend the Family Assembly held on Friday afternoon at 2.50 pm where children celebrate their work and achievements.

Additional Educational Needs

The school recognises that some children may need extra help with various aspects of learning at some time.  Our current Additional Needs policy entitles these children to receive particular support when it is required.  This may involve extra assistance from the class teacher, learning support assistant, the Cognition & Learning Service or outside agencies, such as the Educational Support Service.  Following the school annual assessment of pupil needs, parents are advised if their child needs extra help and their co-operation is sought in implementing a successful learning programme.

Pupils with an Additional Needs Statement have these reviewed annually.

Lunches and Playtimes

Our cooked school meals come from Teynham School and the children are offered a choice of main courses and desserts, together with a drink of milk, squash or water.  The children are supervised and are expected to eat their meals using appropriate manners.

Children may also bring in a packed lunch box which should contain a drink and a healthy balance of food such as fruit.  Please do not send in fizzy drinks, glass bottles or cans, sweets or bars of chocolate.

During morning breaktime, it is natural for the children to feel hungry. 
Our children in Yrs R,1 /2 (infants) have been included in the Healthy Schools fruit and vegetable initiative and receive a free piece of fresh fruit every day. 

The older children are encouraged to bring in a piece of fresh fruit, but not sweets, chocolates or gum. 

Milk is available free for the under fives and at a small cost for others.  Please ask for a form at the School Office.

CLASSES and CURRICULUM       Prospectus Contents

Class Organisation

The number on roll is currently 55 but this fluctuates.  Staffing is the Headteacher, two full time and two part time teachers. 

There are three classes named after varieties of English apples.

Bramley                 Years R,1,2            Miss Keeler

Beacon                  Years 3,4               Mrs Bush (.4)
                                                          Mrs Kay  (.6)

Voyager                Years 5,6               Mr Spencer
Music Teaching                                  Mrs Knowlton

As far as possible we try to keep children of the same age together in one class, but this is not always possible.  When we have to split a year group we take into consideration social and intellectual maturity as well as age when forming a class.

Delivering the Curriculum

The curriculum is taught ensuring that there is planning for progression and continuity throughout the school.  Themes are used in the Early Years on a two year rolling programme, while in Key Stage 2 subjects are mainly timetabled following a two year curriculum plan, but we are gradually moving towards a more topic based approach.

Lessons are taught to a whole class, particularly at the start of a lesson such as Literacy or Numeracy.   Ability group and mixed ability group teaching allows for individual progress and ability grouping is often used as mixed age classes mean teachers are catering for a very wide range of ability.  Our ability groups are flexible, allowing us to cater for the strengths of the child.

Beyond the formal timetable are a range of policies and practices to promote the personal and social development of pupils, to accommodate different teaching and learning styles and to develop positive attitudes and values.  We teach Brain Gym activities and encourage the children to take regular water breaks throughout the day.

THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM       Prospectus Contents

English

We place great importance on children’s ability to communicate with confidence in spoken and written English.  In English lessons and through other curriculum subjects children will experience a language- rich environment where they can communicate efficiently, effectively and purposefully.

We give particular attention to the vital skills of reading and writing and see these as laying the foundations for future progress. Our pupils are encouraged to see themselves as readers and writers from the start. As they mature, they become more confident and are able to extend and use a range of subjects, approaches and styles in their writing. In this school you will find reading and writing taking place as a whole class, group or individual activity. During Literacy Hour a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry books are used and all pupils have access to our School Library, which, while small, contains a range of up to date books.

All children have Reading Record Books and Reading Bags with the school logo on. We strongly encourage all parents to support their children with regular shared reading times at home. The school uses two main reading schemes 1,2,3 Away and Oxford Reading Tree and all books are colour coded according to the level of difficulty.

The correct formation of letters, neatly presented in joined handwriting is taught from the start. Handwriting and spelling go hand in hand and at this school Spelling Made Easy is used to teach word families and cursive script together.

Mathematics

The children see Maths as an exciting challenge and we aim to develop this positive attitude by teaching the key skills and concepts through structured and progressive lessons. Mental agility, problem solving and mathematical investigations also add to the enjoyment of the challenge maths presents.

We use the Folens Maths Scheme throughout the school as a basis for teaching the Numeracy Hour, together with supplementary work.  We try to ensure that each child is taught at the appropriate level and we may move children to another class for these lessons.

Interactive whiteboards and data projectors are used to enhance the teaching and to demonstrate difficult concepts.

Science

Science is a valued subject at this school as an area of learning which is directly concerned with increasing the children’s knowledge and understanding of the natural and physical world.

Children are taught how to make choices and plan investigations which can be safely carried out in class. They are encouraged to apply scientific skills by hypothesising and interpreting results, recording findings and offer explanations.  We use our extensive school grounds, including the pond at every opportunity.

Foundation Subjects

We cover the full range of foundation subjects which include Geography, History, Physical Education, Art, Design Technology, Religious Education, Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) including sex education, Citizenship and Information & Communication Technology (ICT).

These are taught following a two year rolling programme and lessons will include visits, visitors to school, video programmes and CD-ROMs to allow the children to experience learning by looking, feeling and speaking.  Once a week, the children are taught music by a specialist teacher, while our ICT resources include laptops, desktop computers, data projectors and interactive whiteboards.

The school encourages an enjoyment of physical activities, including sport and aims to develop positive attitudes, co-operation and fair competition in team and individual activities.  Time is spent teaching a range of games, gymnastic, athletic and dance skills.

The school enjoys the benefit of a solar heated swimming pool which is used by every pupil in the summer months.

In the upper school the school nurse visits to discuss physical development with the pupils.  A special video on health and sex education is given to Year 5/6 children by the school nurse.  Parents are informed in advance and are welcome to contact the Headteacher if they have any queries about the content. Parents will be able to view the video before the screening for children if they wish.

During each term we may hold special creative days or weeks to encourage the children to learn in a different way.  We recently held a Pirates Week and taught all curriculum subjects through this topic.

Front of school in the Autumn Months

GENERAL INFORMATION       Prospectus Contents

School Uniform & Equipment

The school uniform has been designed to be as comfortable and practical as possible, children even enjoy wearing it!

We request your co-operation and support by sending your child to school in uniform.  White polo shirts, forest green sweatshirts, yellow PE T-shirts all bearing the school logo and green shorts can be purchased or ordered from the school office.  Forest green fleeces bearing the school logo are also available.  Black Watch pleated skirts for girls, are available from Forsters, the school outfitters, in Sittingbourne.
                                                                   

All clothing should be clearly marked with your child’s name.

Children should not bring valuables to school and the school cannot take responsibility for loss or damage to such articles.  Pupils may wear watches.  Stud earrings only may be worn and these must be removed or taped over for PE lessons.  Please send in a roll of suitable tape for your own child.

Equal opportunities

We are committed to providing the full range of opportunities for all pupils regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, social, cultural or religious background. All pupils have equal access to the curriculum, and the right to a learning environment where the rights of the individual are respected. The school promotes an anti – bullying and anti –racist  policy.

Home reading scheme

In order to develop reading skills the school operates a home reading programme. All children will bring home books which are colour coded according to their reading age, and a reading record book for you to add comments on what and how they have read.

Reading bags are sold with the school logo printed on. Please make sure the reading books and bags are in school every day.

The Parent, Teacher and Friends Association (PTFA) of  Doddington School

The PTFA is a registered charity which organizes events throughout the year to raise money for the school. Funds are spent in a wide variety of ways to enhance the children’s learning and provide additional resources and equipment.

The PTFA also hold social events and fundraising activities throughout the year, some in conjunction with the Village Hall Committee. The Annual Fireworks Display is an event not to be missed!

Every parent is welcome to attend the meetings or stand for the Committee. However, whether you are on the committee or not, your help at events will always be appreciated.

Severe Weather Conditions or Emergency Closure

In the event of severe weather the Local Radio stations will be notified of closure
Radio Kent – 96.7 and 104.2 FM
Invicta Radio – 102.8 FM

Should the school need to close early every attempt will be made to contact parents so children can be collected from school. If you are unable to bring children to school because of difficulty in travelling yourself, please phone the office.

Pupil Attendance Record Sept  04 – May 05

Doddington’s pupils have a good attendance record. 2 pupils had full attendance.
The authorised absence rate for the year was 4.9 % with unauthorised absences of 101  (half day sessions) (0.6 %).

Absence from school & Lateness

If your child is absent for any reason, it is essential that you let us know the reason by telephone, a note  or in person by 9:30 am  on the day of the absence as  absences will be usually be followed up by a phone call . This is to ensure the safe arrival of all children in school. A verbal message from another child is insufficient. Unless the reason for the absence is appropriate, it may be recorded as an unauthorised absence.

The school bell is rung at 8.58 am and class registers taken, remaining open until 9.15 am.  If your child arrives after the children have been taken into class but before 9.15 am a late mark will be given and the time recorded.  If your child arrives after 9.15 am without an acceptable reason, an unauthorised absence may be recorded.  Unauthorised absences and lateness will be recorded on the annual report.  We do encourage the children to arrive in school on time by awarding the class with the least number of latenesses during the week with Doddington Dan, a cuddly bear.

Holidays

Should you wish to take a holiday during term time, you must fill in a holiday form, available from the school office.  Schools may authorise up to ten days absence for family holidays in one school year.  However, it is not your right to take children away for a holiday during term time and if your child shows a pattern of irregular attendance the absence may not be authorised.

Newsletters and Parent Consultation Evenings

We try to keep our parents well informed of events within school and send on average a school newsletter once every two weeks.  These will give you all the term and holiday dates, important information and future events. 

Parents are invited to our consultation evenings which are held once a term.  During the Autumn and Spring Terms we offer an opportunity to make both early appointments and later appointments.  To book an appointment with class teachers parents are invited to ‘sign up’ for a ten minute appointment.

Clubs

Several clubs are run by members of the school staff for the benefit of the children after school hours and they include choir, football and spanish club.  If you would like your child to join any of these clubs, please contact the Office for a permission slip.

Discovery After School Club

While not directly part of the school, we support a thriving after school club which caters for all children between 3.15 and 6.00 pm.  Here the children can take part in ‘structured’ events, as well as having the opportunity to let off steam.

Governing Body’s Policy on charging and remissions.

The Governors have adopted Kent Education Committee’s Policy on charging for activities which take place in school hours.  This means that parents will be asked for a voluntary contribution to cover excursions or a school based educational activity.  No child may be excluded if parents are unable to contribute.  The following procedure applies.

1. Parents will be invited to make a voluntary contribution to cover the cost of their own child’s place on an outing.
2. If the majority of parents are willing to contribute then the outing will go ahead.
3. If parents are unable to contribute the whole of the cost due to genuine hardship, the Headteacher should be contacted in person and the matter will be dealt with discretely and sympathetically.
4. Parents not wishing their child to take part, for whatever reason should notify the class teacher as all absences from school must be accounted for.
5. If the overall response is low, or insufficient numbers are unwilling to contribute to the cost then it may be necessary to cancel the arrangement.

Visits

The children are taken out of school on various occasions during the school year as part of their studies.  The teachers will sometimes ask for parental help with transport and supervision in accompanying the children to ensure a safe level of care. Please check you have adequate insurance to cover taking children in your car.

A permission slip is required to be signed at the beginning of the year to enable local visits to take place, e.g. walking through the village.

Complaints Procedure

The Governors of this school have adopted the principles and practice of the Local Education Authority ‘model’ procedure for dealing with complaints.  The aim of this procedure is to ensure complaints are dealt with fairly and quickly for the benefits of pupils, parents and staff.

There will be occasions when concerns can be resolved through the class teacher, secretary or Headteacher as a matter of routine.

Where a parent is dissatisfied after the initial contact and wishes to take the matter further, the first formal approach should be to the Headteacher.  If after the first approach the complainant is dissatisfied with the decision or outcome he/she should write to the Clerk of the Governors giving details of the complaint.

The Chairman and one other governor will then consider the matter.  Other governors should not be drawn into this process at this time as they may be involved at a later appeal stage e.g. disciplinary procedures.  This could lead to allegations of involvement tainting the outcome.

Appeals

Should the complainant remain dissatisfied they can write to the Local Education Officer at:
East Kent Education Office
Clover House
John Wilson Business Park
Thanet Way
Whitstable
Kent
CT5 3QZ

PERSONNEL        Prospectus Contents

Headteacher    Mrs J L Harris    MA (Management Studies(Education))
                                                      Cert.Ed (Manchester)

Teachers               Mrs C Bush      Cert. Ed(London)
                              Mrs A Kay        B.Ed(Hons) (Nottingham)
                              Miss L Keeler   BA /QTS  (Canterbury)
                              Mr G Spencer   BA(Hons) PGCE (Greenwich)

School Secretary                         Mrs W Gaze
Learning Support  Staff              Mrs M Archer         Mrs L Vigar
                                                     Mrs S Fairhurst       Miss D Wallwork         
                                                     Mrs F Larking         Mrs B Webb                 
                                                     Mrs S Sharp
Cleaner                                         Miss C Clark
Mid-day Supervisors                     Mrs M Archer
                                                     Mrs L Vigar

GOVERNING BODY

Mr T Limby                   (Parent Governor)                    Chairman
Mrs J L Harris                (Headteacher Governor )

Mrs L Anning                (Parent Governor)       
Mrs C Bush                  (Staff Governor)
Mrs M Darvill                (Parent Governor)
Mr I Gardner-Curr         (LEA Governor)           
Mrs W Gaze                  (Staff Governor)
Mrs S Jones                 (Community Governor)                       
Dr I McMullen               (LEA Governor)
Mr L Roberts                (Sponsor Governor)
Mrs J Tuckey                (Community Governor)

Governor Visit to Voyager and Beacon Classes    27January 2005

I made this visit specifically to look at the teaching of Literacy, as this was considered an area of improvement.

After a welcome from Mrs Harris, and a cup of coffee, I went first to Voyager, where Mr Spencer taught the class and me about “kennings”.  This is an old Norse word where objects are described by their function e.g. a man slayer for sword.  The lesson was imaginative and kept the class’s interest.  The children were lively but well behaved and responded to gentle rebuke when they overstepped the mark.  They all seemed keen to answer the question and seemed to get the point.

Next we did pronouns at first as a class, then split into groups of varying ability, where they had to write some of it down.  I am not qualified to say how good their writing is, but the majority seemed neat, well formed and well spelt.

I then went to Beacon with Mrs Bush.  The class was in groups learning about suffixes with the help of suffixes written on cards to see which fitted the various nouns provided.  Some of them were quite challenging and I am glad I did not have to expose my ignorance on one or two of them.  As with Voyager, the class was lively, polite, well behaved, engrossed and interactive.  Again they understood the idea of suffixes.

Mrs Bush then handed out a leaflet containing some poetry.  She read “The Bunyip” with great enthusiasm and drama.  This is a gruesome, scary Australian poem which is ideal for small children.  After some discussion and explanation about the slightly obscure content, there was a bit of role-play with individual children pretending to be the hero and monster, and answering questions from the rest.  The children loved it.

I was interested to see how well the teachers, with the help of Teaching Assistants, coped with children of varying abilities and ages.
I enjoyed myself so much that there was not time to visit Miss Keeler’s class. Perhaps I could go there another time?

Thank you for a most interesting and instructive morning.

Ian McMullen

2005 KEY STAGE 2 SCHOOL RESULTS        Prospectus Contents

These tables show the percentages of year 6 children achieving each level at our school in 2005
Children at the end of Key Stage 2 are normally expected to have achieved Level 4
Total number of pupils subject to Key Stage 2 Assessment : 8

TEACHER ASSESSMENT

Percentage at each level

TASK & TEST RESULTS

Percentage at each level

Figures may not total 100% due to rounding
W       represents pupils who are working towards level 1, but have not yet achieved the standard needs for level 1.
B        represents pupils not entered for the tests because they were working below Level 3 in English, mathematics or science ;
N       represents pupils not achieving a level from the tests.

2005 KEY STAGE 1 SCHOOL RESULTS       Prospectus Contents

These tables show the percentage of year 2 children achieving each Level at our school in 2005.
Children at the end of Key Stage 1 are normally expected to have achieved Level 2
Figures may not total 100% because of rounding
Total number of pupils subject to Key Stage 1 Assessment: 6

TEACHER ASSESSMENT

Percentage at each level

TASK & TEST RESULTS

Percentage at each level

W       represents pupils who are working towards level 1, but have not yet achieved the standard needs for level 1.

SCHOOL TERMS , TIMES and HOLIDAY DATES

Academic Year 2005- 2006

Please also refer to the staff development days below when the school will be closed to children.

Autumn     

Term 1
Thursday 1 September 2005 to  Friday 21 October 2005

Term 2
Monday 31 October 2005      to  Friday 16 December 2005

Spring

Term 3
Tuesday 3 January 2006  to  Friday 10 February 2006

Term 4
Monday 20 February 2006 to  Friday 31 March 2006

Summer

Term 5
Wednesday 19 April 2006 to Friday 31 May 2006

Term 6
Monday 5 June 2006 to Tuesday 25 July 2006

Bank Holidays   Monday 1 May 2006

Staff Development Days      

The school is closed to children on staff development days
Thursday 1 September 2006
Friday 2 September 2006
Monday 31 October 2006
Friday 31 March 2006
Tuesday 25 July 2006