Wakefield Methodist - Junior & Infants School Wakefield

About Us

These are our Aims:

• To give the children confidence, security and happiness in the learning environment.
• To teach the children how to acquire knowledge, to have skills and practical abilities.
• To increase children's imaginative understanding and thirst for knowledge so they are prepared for the next phase of their education.
• To teach children social and moral values and to abide by a code of behaviour so that they can take their place in society and be an active member of it.

We have an excellent Foundation Stage Unit which introduces children and parents to our school.

As a popular, friendly school, of open plan structure, and on one level, we attract a high proportion of special needs children for which we cater individually. Our pupil roll reflects how successful we are as an inclusive school, integrating all pupils.

To enhance this further we have a Communication Resource for pupils with autism and for pupils with specific language and communication needs within school which offer excellent facilities, trained staff, and integration with our mainstream pupils at every opportunity.

• Our levels of individual pupil attainment remain high
• We maintain a high level of pupil support for all our children especially those with Special Educational Needs (SEN) through LA provided Special Educational Needs Support Service(SENSS) and those financed through our own budget.
• We are a Healthy School with an established School Council.
• In October 2008 we achieved the Primary Geography Quality Mark at Silver Level we are the only school in Wakefield to achieve this mark for recognition of our high standards and quality of provision in geography.
• We have achieved Investors in People status as recognition of our commitment to developing our staff potential.
• To achieve this we emphasise development opportunities for all staff to build a well motivated and enthusiastic team.
• We have also achieved the Basic Skills Quality Mark as recognition of our commitment to improving the core subjects for all pupils.
• The school environment is attractive, both inside and out, and is we believe one of the best positioned inner city schools close to the centre of Wakefield.

To Celebrate Achievement

In a successful and happy community, we value all people who work well, show initiative, show consideration for the welfare of others and enhance the good name of the school.

Pupils are rewarded in class by the teacher and are presented to the school during Friday assembly for endeavour, work in the community and good work in particular subjects. Additionally, their good work is displayed around the school and in the classrooms.

We also like to hear about the achievements of our pupils out of school, for example, in swimming, dancing and sports etc.

School Code of Conduct

The school rules are kept to a minimum and pupils are mainly encouraged to respect individuals and property. Our main aim being to create self-discipline.

Any accidental damage to property or the premises will be sympathetically dealt with, and hopefully replaced or repaired by the Authority or us, but in the event of wilful damage or deliberate disregard for school property or the property of others, then we expect that the parent or guardian will reimburse the cost of repair or replacement. A copy of the school rules is available to parents on request. We expect everyone who learns and works at The Methodist School to:

1. attend regularly and be punctual
2. respect other people
3. respect the environment
4. allow others to learn and work
5. help make school a safe and healthy place
6. come to school properly dressed
7. do their best

When children do not keep to our expected standards, we have to apply sanctions. If there are any problems, we believe in involving parents at an early stage and we hope that parents will respond positively. We need to work together for the pupil's welfare.

We ask all parents to retain their school brochure for future reference and ensure they return their Home School Agreement, Internet Access, library thumbprint agreement, and School Photograph Agreement to school at the earliest opportunity.

School Hours

With our before and after school provision for pupils, we are open between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm.

For all school age pupils, school starts at 8.55 am and finishes at 3.30 pm.

Morning nursery session is 9.00 am until 11.30 am.

Afternoon nursery session is from 1.00 pm until 3.30 pm.

School lunch breaks are staggered with:

Lower Foundation Stage (Nursery) 11.30am - 1.00 pm

Upper Foundation Stage (Reception) 12.00 noon - 1.00pm

Key Stage 1 12.00 - 1.15 pm

Key Stage 2 12.15 - 1.15 pm

After school activities normally finish at 4.15 pm or, by consultation with parents, at 4.30 pm.

Staff

Governors

Homework Policy

Homework is becoming an increasingly important aspect of a child's education as a means of building on and reinforcing skills introduced at school.

Our definition of 'homework' is:

ANY work to be undertaken at home which supports the child's learning.

By setting tasks to be completed at home teachers are directing opportunities for:

• extending the child's study time;
• widening the range of resources available;
• forging links between home and school;
• involving parents or carers more directly with their child's learning;
• encouraging positive attitudes towards learning;
• promoting good personal organisation;
• developing study skills.

Homework will be encouraged from Class 1 onwards, becoming much more demanding and formal by Year 6 (Class 6).

Tasks set will vary considerably from year to year, but will always be relevant and appropriate to the work being covered by the child in class and so enhance and support the learning taking place in school.

Children will be strongly encouraged by the teacher to complete homework assignments and the support and encouragement of parents in this respect is vital. However, if for any reason a child has been unable to do their homework, no reprimand will be given but a record will be kept by the teacher. If any child persistently fails to do homework the parents or guardians will be contacted.

Homework will be marked by, or discussed with, the teacher as near as possible to the requested date of completion.

The effectiveness of homework will be continually monitored by the teacher through testing, marking and discussion.

Parents are encouraged to comment or voice concerns regarding their child and homework at any time.

Uniform and Appropriate Dress

We encourage the wearing of school colours at every opportunity. School uniform consists of navy or grey skirts or trousers worn with white shirts or polo shirts, navy or grey jumpers, sweatshirts, cardigans.

All tops can be ordered through school, embroidered with the school logo.

In summer most boys tend to wear navy or grey shorts with short sleeved shirts. Girls wear dresses in blue and white.

It is advisable that children wear sensible clothes and footwear which is clearly labelled with their name.

We discourage the wearing of all jewellery, especially earrings, which are particularly dangerous in PE and games. A small pair of studs is acceptable.

Physical Education

It is necessary that children change for PE in the interest of hygiene and safety.

Indoor PE is done in bare feet, with shorts and a top. Sometimes girls wear a leotard.

Outdoor PE dress is similar however training shoes are needed to change into. For outdoor games in winter a tracksuit/jogging suit is advisable.

Swimming: For Years 5 and 6, a one piece full swimming costume or trunks is necessary (not the baggy fashion shorts).

Educational Visits

It is the belief of the Governing Body that educational visits should form an integral part of the curriculum for all pupils at The Methodist School and it is expected that every pupil will participate.

Long and short-term educational visits are regularly arranged, ie. residential visits to Hornsea and outdoor pursuits centers eg: Ingleborough Hall.

Before each visit can take place parents will be informed of the cost and asked to make a voluntary contribution towards it. Hopefully, all parents will contribute, but should the total contributions be less than the cost of the trip, then the balance will have to be made up from school funds. (Visitors coming to school, e.g. drama groups will be charged for as above).

The Governing Body would like to see each planned trip take place, but should the balance to be made up from school funds be excessive, then some trips may have to be cancelled.

All children will be treated equally regardless of whether or not their parents make a voluntary contribution.

We are sure you will appreciate the financial problems this part of the Education Reform Act (1988) places on schools and hope you will continue to give the school your support.

Clubs

We aim to involve the children in activities which will develop their personality and self-esteem.

We offer clubs such as choir practice, football, netball, computer, sewing, table tennis and dance as well as an environmental club

Calendar 2009/2010

INSET (In-service Training days)

* Please note that in 2010 there will only be one week holiday at spring bank

Our School Prayer

This is our school,
May all who work here live happily together
May our school be full of joy
May love dwell among us every day
Love of one another
Love of people everywhere
Love of life itself
And love of God.
And let us remember that as many hands build a house
So every child can make this school a happy place.
Amen

After School Care Provision

CJ's Playcare

Quality out of school childcare across Wakefield

Tel: 01924 862098 | Mobile: 07885 243089

Open before and after school and in school holidays. Playcare is available:-

8am to 6pm Monday to Friday | All year, except bank holidays

Full-time and part-time places with bookings for the whole year, holiday only, or term only.

Adhoc arrangements can be made for those not needing a regular place.

Government Information

• For the latest information from the government including the profile, reports and performance figures please visit the Government Schools website.
• We have provided a summarised version of the latest Ofsted Report (256KB Download) which you can download from this site. If you wish to obtain the full version this can be downloaded from Ofsted.
• Recent HMI report on Geography Teaching (23KB Download).
• Recent LA report on Inclusion (918KB Download).
• Access to the latest Wakefield SIAS Report (26KB Download).

To view the above reports you will need Acrobat Reader, which is freely available from adobe.com.