'Growing and Learning Together'

1 Name and Address of School
2 Telephone Number of School
3 Headmaster
4 Deputy Headmaster
5 Teachers
6 Governors
7 Type of School
8 Secondary School
9 Structure of the School
10 Staff
11 Other Staff
12 Area Teachers (Welsh)
13 Dinner Arrangements
14 Organisation of the Infant Department
15 Organisation of the Junior School
16 Aim and Objectives
17 Curriculum                                                                        
18 Language Strategy
19 Religious Education
20 Sex Education
21 Homework
22 School Activities
23 Book Clubs
24 Music Scheme
25 School Uniform
26 The Child's Development
27 Pastoral Care
28 Inclement Weather
29 Discipline and School Rules
30 Parental Links with the School
31 Ancillary Services
32 Holiday Calendar
33 Policies
34 Special Needs
35 Complaints Procedure                                                                                                                                  36. 36 36Healthy Schools,Eco and Fair Trade
37Family holidays taken during term time

1. Name and Address of School.

Rhydypennau Community Primary School.

Bow Street,

Ceredigion

SY24  5AD.

2.Telephone Number of School.

Telephone and Fax (01970) 828608

3.Headmaster.

Mr. J.A. Havard

4.Deputy Headmaster.

Mr. M. Jones

5.Teachers.

Mr. M. Jones             -  Year 5/6
Mr. E. Rees                -  Year 4/5
Mrs. H. M. Williams    - Year 3/4
Miss. O. Morus          -  Year 2
Mrs. Ll. Bonsall          -  Year 1
Mrs. A. Fanning          - Reception
Miss. R. Vearney-Roberts-Nursery
Mrs B. Davies 0.4        - SENCO

6.Governors.

Cllr.G.Phillips (Chairman), Mr R Gethin (Vice Chairman), Cllr.P Hinge, Cllr.R.Quant, Cllr. D. England, Mr W.Lewis, Mr A. Ifans, Ms Sarah Hawkins, Mr M. Clubb, Parch.R.Lewis, Mr D.A.Davies, Mrs A Fanning, Mrs D. Simpson Jones, Mr A. Havard.

The governing body meets once per term at Rhydypennau School.  An open meeting for parents is held once a year. 
A copy of the minutes can be seen in the school foyer.    

7.Type of School.

Category A School Nursery/Infant/Junior (3 - 11 year olds) About 26 children are admitted annually

8.Secondary School.

Pupils are transferred either to Penweddig Comprehensive or to Penglais Comprehensive according to parental choice.

9.Structure of the School.

Children are admitted to the nursery class at the beginning of the term after their third birthday. They meet in the mornings between 9 and 12 noon. Children of over 4 years of age, at the beginning of the school year, receive a full day’s schooling in the reception class. The nursery unit is open between 9 a.m. and 3.25 p.m.

The Infant/Junior are open between 9.a.m. and 3.30 p.m.  Supervisory arrangements are made from 15 minutes before opening and up to 15 minutes after closing time. Dinner time is from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Cars are not allowed through the school gates without permission. Parents are expected to inform the Headmaster if the child is absent.

It is also expected that the parents inform the school of a visit
to the dentist, doctor, etc.

10.Staff.

The number of staff depends on the number of children in the school.  The two numbers vary from year to year.

At present the Headmaster is not in charge of a class and there are 6.95 teachers and 4 assistants who are responsible for individual children. There is 1 nursery assistant, 4.6 pupil support workers and 2 H.L.T.A.

11.Other Staff.

This depends on arrangements between the school and the Education Office.  Peripatetic instrumental teachers visit in accordance with the provision arranged by the Music Organiser.

12.Area Teachers (Welsh).

Since 1978, 26 Area Teachers of Welsh have been employed by Dyfed (8 in Ceredigion) to assist primary schools (mainly) with presentation of Welsh as a first and second language.  The teachers  are placed in schools after consultation between the Headmasters and the Language Adviser.  One important aspect of their activity is to teach learners of Welsh and a special course for late-entrant learners has been prepared.  A Language Centre for late entrant learners has been established at Penweddig Comprehensive School since 1990.

13.Dinner Arrangements.

Mrs. M. Fleming is the chief cook who prepares school dinners.  The cost at present is £1.90 per day to be paid by Monday to the clerk, Mrs G Mathias.The clerk is also present on Friday mornings to complete weekly accounts.

There are two other members of staff in the kitchen and three mid day supervisors in the school.  In the nursery unit there is one member of staff in the kitchen and two mid day supervisors.

Application forms for free meals are available either from the Headmaster or from the Area Education Office in Aberystwyth.  Every child who brings his own food is asked not to use glass containers.

14.Organisation of the Infant Department.

There are two classes; Nursery Class and Reception Class.

15.Organisation of the Junior School.

There are two classes in the Infant Department.

There are two classrooms for the Junior Department.The children of 7-9 years are in one room and the children of 9-11 years in the other.

As well as teaching their classes their expertise is used to teach all age groups within the school.

16.Aims And Objectives

17. Curriculum.

Fluent bilingualism is the aim of the school.  The Nursery Unit contributes greatly to the successful attainment of this aim.

Welsh culture in all its aspects is promoted so as to give the child roots and the sense of belonging.  Reading and writing are taught as soon as the child is ready so that both languages develop side by side in the junior department and lead to full bilingualism by the age of eleven.

When a non-Welsh speaking child is admitted to the latter years of the school, special arrangements will be made.

One theme is chosen every term.  Lessons are planned on the different aspects of the theme which include Mathematics, Language, Science, Design and Technology, I.C.T, Geography, History, Music, Art, Physical Education, Religious Education and P.S.E using  the National Curriculum Guidelines/Framework for children’s learning for 3 to7 year olds/Skills framework.

Through this, come the opportunity to impart knowledge to arouse interest, to nurture understanding and to develop skills and self explanation in both languages.

There is a school library with plenty of useful resources for use by the children and teachers . 

Physical Education and Music are taught making use of the special abilities of some members of staff. Interest in orchestral instruments is also catered for.

At present some pupils receive tuition in playing the harp, violin, cello, clarinet, flute and brass instruments and have the opportunity to play in the Aberystwyth District Primary School’s Orchestra.

18. Language Strategy

Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Rhydypennau values the development of pupils who will be fully bilingual in both Welsh and English. This school is defined as a Welsh Medium primary school in accordance with the Welsh Assembly Government document; ‘Defining schools in according to Welsh Medium provision ’ (October 2007). Welsh is the medium of education in Key Stage 1 / Foundation Phase. English language skills are developed more formally in Key Stage 2 and roughly 80% of the curriculum is taught through the medium of Welsh. It is important to develop the dual literacy skills of our pupils. We therefore plan opportunities for pupils to read information in one language and respond in another, e.g. an English language web site, and respond by discussing its content in Welsh.

At the end of Key Stage 2 the pupils of Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Rhydypennau will have the ability to use both Welsh and English as means of communication.  We structure the Welsh medium provision as below:

 Pupils who arrive at the school from year 3 onwards, and who
need assistance to develop their Welsh language skills will spend
a period of time at a local Language Centre. These centres
provide and excellent opportunity for children to quickly develop
their use of the Welsh language. There is also provision for
parents who would wish to learn Welsh. For more information regarding relevant courses for parents contact :

Canolfan Iaith - Ceredigion on 01545 572 717.

19. Religious Education.

This includes a service every day.  Importance is given at all times to Christian and moral standards.

20. Sex Education.

There is no specific scheme for the teaching of Sex Education.  Any questions that arise are dealt with by the teacher in a responsible and sensitive way.

21. Homework.

Children are encouraged to take reading books home and pupils in the junior department are expected to complete weekly homework tasks and read at least one book a week.

22. School Activities.

Swimming lessons are provided for the 7-11 year olds at the Aberystwyth pool once a week.

Football and hockey teams belong to the Mini-Minor League in Aberystwyth and play regularly on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.  They practice after school. The Urdd Club meets between 3.30 and 4.45 p.m. on Wednesday evening and we support the Urdd Eisteddfod and Urdd Camps every year.

The children are taught to take an interest in the local community.  Through this, it is hoped to root the children in the neighbourhood and show them their responsibility to the local community.

The special religious services are presented every year, the Thanksgiving Service in October and the Goodwill Service in May.

Groups of children visit Tregerddan Home regularly throughout the year to entertain the elderly there and we try to visit other establishments to foster good relationships with the wider community.

23. Book Clubs.

Pupils may support the Sbondonics Book Club.  They may also obtain the Urdd magazines Cip and Wcw.

24. Music Scheme.

Instrumental tuition offered under the above scheme in administered centrally by the Music Adviser at the Area Education Office in Aberystwyth.  During the summer term a series of recognised Music Ability Tests are administered to all pupils who will be eight years of age before the end of August in that particular school year.  After the Music Adviser has received the results and consulted with headteachers and class teachers, tuition is offered to those pupils who would be most likely to benefit from receiving tuition and also receive parental support at home with supervised practice etc.

Every effort is made to offer tuition on as wide a choice of instruments as the situation permits.  Arrangements are made for lessons to be given either at school or at a centre to which parents are expected to be responsible for conveying their child.  A contribution towards the cost is appreciated.

25. School Uniform.

Uniforms are available for purchase from the school .Parents are also asked to provide suitable clothing for Physical Education.

26. The Child’s  Development.

The Education Department screens all pupils at around the age of 5 years to ascertain the need for special education.  Psychological assessments can be arranged at any time.

Since 1990 children are assessed at the ages of 7 and 11 according to the attainment targets of the National Curriculum.  The Parents’ meetings that are usually arranged twice a year, give the parents an opportunity to see their child’s work and to discuss progress with the class teacher.  Written reports are given to the children (5-11 year olds) once a year in July.

Every class teacher will do his/her utmost to give personal attention to a child with special needs.  Lessons will be arranged for the individual child or for a small group.

Children over 7 years with educational difficulties will have the opportunity to have extra lessons with the SENCO.

27. Pastoral Care.

Parents are asked to inform the headmaster if the child has any physical defects or allergy.  If both parents are at work, we ask for a phone number so as to contact one parent during the day, if needed.

If a child is taken ill or has an accident, attempts will be made to contact the parents.  If required, arrangements will be made to transport the child to Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth.

With certain illnesses Ceredigion Area Health Authority recommend that children are kept from school for a minimum number of days.

Chicken Pox - 7 days from appearance of rash

German Measles - 4 days from appearance of rash

Measles - 7 days from appearance of rash

Mumps - 7 days from disappearance of swelling

Children should not arrive at school more that a quarter of an hour before time of opening. It would be very helpful if the child’s name was on his outer clothing, satchel and wellingtons.  No expensive items should be brought to school.

28. Inclement Weather.

The headmaster of the school will ensure that parents are notified if the school is closed or has to close due to inclement weather.

29. Discipline and School Rules.

Every child is expected to behave in an accepted manner, showing respect towards others and towards school equipment and buildings.

30. Parental Links with the School.

As a matter of courtesy, parents are expected to report their presence at school to the headmaster.

Parents may contact the headmaster at any convenient time.  Parents are regularly informed of all events by newsletter.  At least one meeting per term is organized by the Parent/Teacher Association of the School.  The Annual General Meeting is held in the Autumn Term when committee members and officals are elected for the year in accordance with the constitution of the society.

31. Ancillary Services.

Regular visits to the school are arranged by the nurse, doctor, dentist and speech therapist.  Parents are informed of these visits and no treatment is arranged without consulting the parents first.

32. Holiday Calendar.

Every parent will receive a calendar of the school holidays in the month of July.

33. Policies.

These are available at the school for any parent to see.

34.  Special Needs.

Speech Therapist – Miss. Mererid Davies

Teacher - Mrs Bethan Davies SENCO

SNAP CYMRU:

  SNAP Cymru is an independent information, advice and support
  service for families of children who had or may have special   
  educational needs (SEN), facilitating partnerships between
  parents and professionals, and involving young people in planning
  and decision making processes.

35. Complaints Procedure.

The complaints procedure is according to Ceredigion Education Authority’s Policy. Parents should discuss this with the Headmaster if and when an occasion arises.

36.  Healthy, Eco and Fair Trade.

The school is a member of the Ceredigion Healthy School scheme; and has recently been awarded Phase Three status, joining only a handful of other schools in the county to achieve this honour.

The school has recently been awarded Eco School status, and has received The Eco School Flag which is fluttering in the school grounds.

The school is a Fair Trade School and organizes a weekly tuck shop selling Fair Trade products.

37. Family holidays taken during term time

Essentially, parents/guardians should not normally take pupils on holiday in term time, and the policy of Ceredigion Local Education Authority is to actively discourage this. Under the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) Regulations 1995, schools do have a discretionary power to grant leave for the purpose of an annual family holiday during term time, providing there are special circumstances for the request, and that an application is made in advance by the parent/guardian with whom the child normally resides. This leave of absence can only be granted by the headteacher, but please do not expect the headteacher to automatically grant your request. Please also note that only in exceptional circumstances will more than 10 school days absence be granted in any school year.

The headteacher will consider each request for holiday absence most carefully, taking into account the pupil’s age, the timing of the holiday, and the pupil’s attendance record. A decision will be then be made whether or not to grant permission. If parents do take a child away on holiday without agreed permission from the headteacher, then these absences will be unauthorised and reported back to the Local Education Authority.

If the school does grant a holiday in term time, I would ask you to discuss with the headteacher how you will help your child to catch up with the missing hours of education lost (50 hours for a full 10 days holiday).