Untitled Document

PROSPECTUS
2001/2002

KIRKLEES METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

"I am pleased to welcome your child and you to this school - and hope you will find it to be a happy place.

This is a Church of England School. It aims to give your child everything the law requires and all that other schools offer - but to do so within a Christian framework.

There are 106 Church Schools in the Diocese of Wakefield. Parents particularly ask for their child to be educated in one of our schools. That is because of the Christian atmosphere which is built on the foundation of belief in God and faith in Jesus - and also respect for those children of different faiths.

Many parents are grateful for the way in which our Church Schools help to prepare their children to become good and honest members of the community. But we cannot do that without the guidance and example which comes from the home and family.

I invite you to join with the staff of this school in helping your child to grow not only physically and mentally, but also spiritually and socially. In that way your child will gain self-respect, respect for other people and, above all, for god.

The roles and responsibilities of the governors have changed dramatically. Among these changes is the increase in parental involvement on the Governing Body and more opportunities for governors to play an active part in the life of the school. Governors find it helpful to visit school whilst it is in session. Some governors help in school with various activities. Kirklees provides excellent training facilities for Governing Bodies, and many of our governors attend courses.

· to give each child the opportunity to become literate and numerate to the limit of
his/her capability;
· to encourage children towards, and have involvement in, creative works - music, the Arts and Literature;
· to give each child full opportunity to develop his/her physical potential, and to gain a healthy attitude towards the use of leisure time;
· to provide pastoral care for each child, based on Christian ethics, and to learn and understand the cultures of others;
· to develop understanding of the local community and an awareness of the needs of others;
· to develop in each child a sense of responsibility;
· to develop in each child a sense of self-esteem;
· to develop in each child a love for the world in which we live.

These aims will give children regardless of sex, race or creed, self-confidence and respect in everything they do. They aim to be carried out to the best ability of the school.

Headlands is a Church of England School which caters for the needs of approximately 350 children aged 3 - 11.

Parents wishing to do so may visit the school by appointment. Children may be admitted into school in September or January. Admission arrangements are correct at time of printing but may be subject to alteration.

Nursery places will be allocated half a term before the child is due to start and the places will be allocated in accordance with the LEA's admissions policy.:

Children enter nursery:

Date of 4th birthday (inclusive) Term of Admission
1 September - 29 February Autumn (September)
1 March - 31 August Spring (January)

1. children who live in the school's priority admission area, in birth date order;
2. children who live outside the priority area who have an older brother or sister already attending the school from the same address at the time of admission;
3. children who live outside the priority area.

(Notes: (a) 'Live' refers to the child's permanent home at the date of admission.
(b) If we cannot agree to requests for admission in priority 3 above without
exceeding the PAL (Published Admission Limit) we will give priority up to
the PAL to children living nearest the school. Distance is measured in a
straight line.
(c) A priority admission area means a geographical area approved by Kirklees.
(A map supplement is available either from school or Oldgate House)

Admissions into school are dealt with in accordance with the LEA's Admissions Policy.

1. Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs which names the
school;
2. Children living in the school's priority admission area who have an older brother
or sister attending from the same address at the date of admission;
3. Other children living in the school's priority admission area;
4. Children who live outside the priority area who have an older brother or sister attending from the same address at the time of admission;
5. Children who have been refused a place a their priority admission area school because of class size regulations;
6. Children who live outside the priority area.

(Notes: (a) 'Live' refers to the child's permanent home at the date of admission
(b) If within any one of the priorities mentioned above there are more applicants
than remaining places, admission will be offered to the children living nearer
to the school, measured in a straight line.
( c)A priority admission area means a geographical area approved by Kirklees
(a map supplement is available in School or from Oldgate House).

Priorites for admission to KS2

Places are allocated in the same order as stated for the Nursery, except they are not allocated in birth date order.

Most children from Headlands transfer at the age of 11 - the end of Year 6 - to Spen Valley High School, provided they live in the catchment area. Details are available from school.

Should parents so wish, they may enter their child for the entrance examination for Heckmondwike Grammar School, or a school of their choice, provided a space is available.

The school provides twelve excellently equipped class bases, an open-plan area for craft, two well-stocked libraries - one for KS1 and one for KS2, a computer suite, science/DT resource areas and television/music room.

The school has two small adventure playgrounds, a ball court, a large field and a large Nature Area, which is used for curriculum work.School Times

Registration 8.55 am
Break 10.30 - 10.45 am
Lunch: KS1 12.00 noon
KS2 12.15 pm
Afternoon Session 1.15 pm
KS1 Break 2.15 - 2.30 pm
Hometime 3.15 pm

Children are asked to be at school no sooner than 8.45 am. The school is opened at 8.55 am or 8.50 am in inclement weather. If children arrive at school early, they may play in the playground. We cannot accept responsibility for the safety of any child before entry into the school building, or for children after 3.15 pm unless they are attending a school club or by prior arrangement in writing to the Headteacher.

During a normal school week, 21.25 hours is spent on teaching in KS1 and 23.5 hours in KS2.

So that a child may reach his/her full potential, it is important that as much time as possible is spent in school. Obviously, absence through illness cannot be avoided, but we would ask parents to take notice of school holidays when booking their family holiday. It is very important that children's attendance is uninterrupted as much as possible. Please try to take your holiday during school holidays. Children are learning all the time they are in school, and will miss something important. Teachers are not expected to set 'homework' for children who take holidays during term time.

From time to time children become unfit for school and at such times all they need is the comfort of home. Will parents please notify school on such occasions, either by telephone or letter, as soon as practicable. If a child is absent from school for any length of time, the class teacher will be only too pleased to send a library book home, unless the illness is infectious.

If your child requires any medication during school time - other than an inhaler - please refer to your copy of the Medicine Policy or see the headteacher.

All inhalers must be clearly named. In case of Reception and Year 1 children, they must be handed to the class teacher for safe-keeping. Other children are responsible for their own inhalers. Sometimes children become ill during schooltime and parents need to be contacted. It is for this reason that we ask you for emergency telephone numbers. Please let us know if this, or your address, or telephone numbers of other contacts change.

We request that children do not bring junk food for snacks - i.e. chocolate, sweets, crisps etc - for many reasons (if you need to know, please ask the Headteacher). Please only send fruit or vegetables for breaktime snacks.Pupils who partake of the "Milk in Schools" scheme benefit from a subsidy from the Intervention Board. This represents a significant reduction in actual cost of milk.

All children must remain on the premises during lunchtime unless the parent/guardian has requested otherwise in writing.

The majority of children eat a meal that has been cooked in school. There is always a wide choice of food - meat, vegetarian or salad, along with potatoes of various kinds, vegetables and hot or cold sweet. A drink is always provided. Any parent wishing to have a school meal may do so by arrangement with the Headteacher.

Some children prefer to eat a packed lunch from home. If you prefer to do this and your child brings a drink to school, please could the drink be in a plastic receptacle or carton and not glass or can. Your child will also need a mug or straw. All children eat together in the school hall. When children have finished their lunch they go out to play. Lunchtime supervisors remain on duty in the playground until 1.15 pm which is the beginning of afternoon school.

(Nut Allergy - Due to the production methods employed by the School Meals Service, there is a possibility that nut traces may be found in any menu item. The Service would, however, be pleased to offer dietary advice on this matter to any parent whose child suffers from this allergy. For further information please contact:-
Annette Johnson (Catering Business Manager)
Kirklees Catering, Caretaking and Cleaning Service, Knowl House, Knowl Road, Mirfield
(Tel: 01924 326560)

Headlands is a Church of England Controlled School, and so maintains links with the local Parish Church - Christ Church Liversedge.

In line with the 1988 Education Act, there must, by law, be a Collective Act of Worship in school each day. This takes various forms - teacher led, class led and whole school assemblies. Topics for Collective Worship are wide ranging, but inevitably they seek to develop children spiritually, morally and philosophically.

We are aware that our children are growing up in a multicultural society, and we therefore try to teach respect for and a knowledge of other religions and cultures. Only by having such knowledge can children make valued judgements in the future.

The school uses the Diocesan Syllabus, the Authority Agreed Syllabus and relevant topic work for Religious Education. We also follow the Diocesan Guidelines on Collective Worship.

Parents wishing to withdraw their children from RE or Collective Worship, may make arrangements with the Headteacher.

Following the requirements of the National Curriculum, your child will receive a 'broad and balanced' education appropriate to his or her ability.

The school years are divided into five Keystages. Whilst your child is in Primary School he/she will be in Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception), Keystage 1 (Years 1 and 2), followed by Keystage 2 (Years 3,4,5 and 6).

English (Literacy), Mathematics (Numeracy) and Science are designated Core Subjects, and will therefore feature prominently throughout. The Foundation Subjects - History, Geography, Information Technology, Design Technology, Music, Art and PE are taught, along with RE.

Much of the curriculum is covered within Topics which have been carefully selected so that each child has access to all relevant areas. Details are kept in school should any parent wish to look more closely.

As part of Topic work, educational visits are often included to places such as Jorvic Museum, Yorkshire Mining Museum, Eden Camp, Cannon Hall Farm, Oakwell Hall, Colne Valley Museum and Eureka! In line with the 1988 Education Act, parents are asked to contribute towards the cost of the visits (Governors remissions and charges policy).

Visitors also come into school to work with the children, such as a dentist, nurse, police, ambulance and members of the local community.

Year 6 children partake in a residential visit to further their work on the environment. Two and a half days are spent at such places as Cliffe House, Robin Hoods Bay, Ned Nook Residential Centre or Kingswood Centre. These visits are of great value to the children both educationally and socially.

Parents will be asked to make a contribution towards the cost of all educational visits. No pupil will be prevented from taking part because of financial restraints. Families who anticipate they may have difficulties should contact the Headteacher.

During the course of their work, children are asked to 'design and make'. This particularly appertains to Technology, Science and Art. Occasionally, children may wish to take some things home and could be asked to pay a small charge towards the resources that are used.

Our School follows the National Curriculum requirements for Physical Education. Each child is involved in games (indoors and outdoors), dance and gymnastic activities at KS1, and at KS2 we add outdoor activities and swimming.

The formal content of the Curriculum is then enhanced by after-school activities such as soccer, netball and rounders. During the year outside associations are involved in sports training e.g. Leeds United, Football in the Community Scheme, Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield/Sheffield Giants.

Many of our children take part in sports in the local community - Liversedge/Gomersal Football Clubs, Spenborough Swimming Clubs, Huddersfield Squash Club, Cleckheaton Rugby Union and many more, including dance, horseriding, karate and majorettes. Many also take part in Scouts, Guides, Cubs,
Brownies, Beavers and Rainbows. We encourage children to use their spare time productively and always try to celebrate their achievements out of school.

In the interests of health and hygiene, it is important that the PE bag - obtainable from school - should include the appropriate PE clothing. (Please note that children are asked to bring a bag of a suitable size. Our cloakrooms are not large enough for big bags!)

If a child does not have the appropriate clothing, they will be unable to participate. You will be notified on which days your child has PE.

Years 5 and 6 visit Spenborough Swimming Baths weekly. Swimming is now a compulsory part of the PE curriculum, and children can only be excused by written request from the parent/guardian. Children who are unable to attend swimming because of medical reasons must provide a letter from your doctor. When going swimming our children will need:-

These include football - boys and girls - French, Spanish, computers, music, choir, netball and soccer.
Each year group performs an end of term concert and sometimes the whole Keystage performs a more ambitious production at some time during the year. Past productions have included "Joseph", "Carrots", "The Evacuees", "Blast Off", "Yanomamo", "A Century of Entertainment", "Songs from the Shows" and "Pinocchio".

All classes in school are organised on a mixed ability basis, and in mixed age groups. Within each class, work is differentiated according to the needs of each child. This may mean that children are taught in small groups, according to ability or maturity, or may work on his/her own, thus helping independence. Sometimes the whole class may be taught together. The teacher always strives to find the most appropriate method of teaching for the success of each child.

Many children progress 'normally', but there are some children who experience difficulties in a particular area, or who progress faster than others. The latter children are given extension work

to increase their skills. Much of the work in school in 'open ended' so that each child can achieve his/her own level.

Sometimes a child appears to be struggling whilst peers are coping. In such cases we invite parents into school to discuss further development and to be involved in the writing of an Individual Education Plan. Parents are usually well aware that their child has problems and are only too pleased to be involved. An appropriate course of action, supported at home, is usually all that is required. Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator will monitor the progress of such a child, and work with the class teacher. There are times, however, when the school is unable to deal with particular needs. In this case parents are further consulted and, with their consent, the child is 'referred'. This means that the School, along with parents, Educational Psychologist and medical authorities, work together to prepare a Statement which identifies the child's needs. When such a Statement has been made, the LEA has a legal obligation to comply with it. It may mean that the child is given extra individual support, or that more special teaching programmes are prepared. All Statements are reviewed annually, and all children with such Statements at Headlands are integrated into mainstream classes.

The school is also fortunate enough to have a Resourced Provision for children with communication difficulties, catering for children from North Kirklees. Again, those children are integrated as much as possible into mainstream classes.

If you wish to see our detailed Special Needs Policy, it is available in School.

Discipline at Headlands is based upon self-respect, self-esteem and a respect for other people and their property. We sometimes involve parents in the area of discipline, believing that partnership between home and school is imperative for the well-being of the child.

An extensive structure of rules does not exist, as we rely upon the common sense of our parents. We do, however, have a "Code of Behaviour" for each pupil in Keystage 2. Parents are asked to read and sign an agreement form relating to our Behaviour and Discipline Policy. The full version of this Policy is available in School.

When your child begins Headlands School, you will be given a "Home/School Contract". This clearly states the responsibilities of the school, children and parents. It aims to foster good working relationships between home and school for the well-being of your child.

Headlands has an Out-of-School-Learning Policy, which is distributed to all parents on entry to school. It sets out our philosophy on children doing schoolwork at home. We hope that all parents will recognize the benefit of our Out-of-School-Learning policy and support it.

Every child has a Reading Diary. This diary is a communication between home and school. Please fill in the appropriate space - it encourages your child (and the teacher!).

Uniform is not compulsory but virtually 100% of our pupils do wear some form of school uniform. If children do not wear uniform we expect them to come to school in plain clothing, neither brightly coloured, nor sporting designer labels, so as to minimize distraction from the learning process.

The following are guidelines for children:
Blue sweatshirts - available in school, but any royal blue sweatshirt or cardigan is acceptable to team up with the following:-

Sweatshirt/sweater/cardigan Royal blue
Skirt/pinafore/cullottes/trousers Navy/grey
Track bottoms (plain) Royal/navy
Shirt/T-shirt/polo Royal/navy/white

Sweatshirt/sweater Royal blue
Trousers/shorts Grey
Track bottoms (plain) Royal/navy
Shirt/T-shirt/polo Royal/navy/white

All children require indoor and outdoor shoes - very clearly named. Shoes should be suitable for school. Fashion shoes, boots and fancy slippers do not come into that category.

We ask that children do not wear jeans. They are not conducive to the working atmosphere that we promote in school.

Sweatshirts, T-shirts, name tapes and pump bags are available in school. Please ask the Secretary, Mrs Rigby. Mrs Gibson is available to sell items on Thursday from 3.00 pm.

For obvious safety reasons we ask all children not to wear jewellery in school other than a watch. If ears are pierced, plain studs should be worn, for safety reasons in games and PE.

Shorts Royal/navy/white Jogging suits/something warm
Leotard Royal/navy/black T-shirt
T-shirt Royal/white/coloured Suitable clothes

Should your child lose an article of clothing, please ask if we have it. We regularly collect un-named, un-claimed clothing. Children are responsible for their personal possessions. It is advisable, therefore, that all valuable items - not just money - are left at home. Children do not need to bring anything to school unless specified by the teacher.

This Association is very active. There are regular meetings that are open to all parents. Social and fund-raising activities are organised. Over the last few years money raised has provided computers and printers, books, Christmas parties, a music centre, a new maths scheme and many other important items.

A document is available from school and from Oldgate House, Huddersfield, detailing the full compliments and complaints procedure. Any complaints should first be addressed to the Headteacher. This, along with our open-door policy, should pre-empt any further action.

Money which is to be paid into school, eg photographs, money for visits etc is collected at the beginning of the school day.

Dinner Money should be paid in advance on a Monday morning. Please ensure that the money is in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with the name of the child and the class. Cheques should be made out to Kirklees Metropolitan Council (KMC).

In the 1999/2000 academic year there were 329 children of compulsory school age registered at school. During the year there were 3.4% of ½ days missed through Authorised Absence and 0.4% of ½ days missed through Unauthorised Absence. Nationally Authorised Absence was 5.2% and Unauthorised absence was 0.5%.

Starting school is your child's first step towards independence, and you, as parents, can help tremendously to prepare your child for this time. Talking and listening to your child, and helping him/her to listen, are the foundations for education. Allowing your child to handle as many materials as possible - sand, water, dough, paints, scissors, paper etc ….. will help him/her to handle them more confidently in the future.

All children who are to begin school in September and January will be invited to visit during the previous term. They will meet the teachers and see the room in which they will be based.

Children usually want to come to school, but many panic on occasions, even after they have been a few times. There may be imagined tummy-ache, sickness and tears. The best attitude to this, after ensuring that the child in not genuinely ill, is gentle reassurance that this feeling will pass. Giving in can prolong the feeling of being unsettled. When you bring your child to school, it is best to leave him/her to play with friends, and not linger by the door. This can be unsettling. When you collect your child at lunchtime or end of school, always try to be punctual. If there is a problem, please notify school. That way the child can be reassured that nothing serious has happened. Your child should always be met by a known person.

Children can become upset by feeling insecure. This can be eased if certain routines are followed:

- Make sure that your child is aware that, having started school, he/she must
continue to come.
- Make sure that your child arrives at school in good time.
- Children will need to undress and dress themselves. As long as they have already done this at home, there is no problem. It helps if all articles of clothing are named. If he/she has problems tying shoelaces, then until such a skill has been mastered, avoid laces - velcro is much easier.
- Make sure that your child has suitable PE wear - the teacher will tell you on which day. No young child likes to be the 'odd one out'.

Mealtimes are a social event, and a time when we try to show children good table manners. The ability to use a knife, fork and spoon makes these times much more pleasant for the child - and for everyone else! If this has been done at home, there is no problem.

A day at school, working and playing hard, can be tiring for a young child. At the end of the day he/she may just want to play or relax. So whilst good support should be given and interest taken in the day's activities, it is not wise to cross-examine about every detail. "What have you been doing today?" may often get the response "Nothing" at teatime, but a thorough description at bathtime. That is the opportunity to join in your child's day.

Very rarely are children able to read before they come to school. They may be able to recognize their name or their street name, but little else. This is perfectly normal, and no child should be put under pressure. At Headlands, your child will be given skilled help to prepare him/her to read when he/she is ready for it, but every parent can help in the preparation.

It is nonsense isn't it? - unless you can break the code. Without 'breaking the code', a child will not learn or understand. Perhaps you can begin to see the complexities of learning to read. It's a process we have all lived through - most of us successfully, but not everyone learns in the same way, or by the same process.

Before a child can read, he/she must be able to hear the sounds and to speak as clearly as possible. The importance of conversation, and that includes the child listening, cannot be too highly stressed for the pre-school child.

It is important that you, as parents, show an interest in reading, thus demonstrating to the child that there is a reason to read. It is a proven fact that children who come from homes where books are read, and not there just for decoration, do, in fact, read more quickly than children who have not been exposed to books. We believe that good reading practice is also an aid to the development of spelling skills.

Reading to children is equally important in the learning process. Try to make it part of an enjoyable daily routine. Nursery rhymes, fairy stories, nonsense verse and jingles all catch a child's interest in words. Talk about pictures in magazines and picture books. If you need any advice on suitable material, we are only too pleased to suggest.

Encourage your child to make up stories about pictures, watch television programmes together and talk about them afterwards. (A child watching television can be relaxing for the parent, BUT it does NOTHING for the CHILD).

Remember that a child's name is very special. Use lower case letters, never CAPITALS. Write it as often as possible, and encourage your child to recognize it. Encourage your child to tell you stories and draw pictures about them. Make lots of paper, paint, crayons and good, thick pencils available. Writing grows out of drawing.

If children have the foundations of listening and speaking, reading will be taught when the child is ready, and the process will be successful and fruitful. Once the process is understood, then parents can help by providing time, patience and encouragement to hear a child read as often as time will allow.

Just as reading grows from language, so does Mathematics. It is a language and, as such, needs the same foundations. Count at every possible opportunity. Count the stairs as you walk up and down, count the cars in the car park (you can teach colours this way), count the people in front of you at the check-out queue, the number of apples you have just bought, the lamp-posts that you pass, the hymns that you sing in church, the knives and forks on the table - absolutely anything.

Mathematical words can be used in the home - taller, shorter, bigger, smaller, thicker, thinner, higher, lower, behind, in front, heavier, lighter - the list is endless.