Tong Primary School
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School Handbook
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Names |
School Board Office |
Telephone No |
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Mrs Christine Moody |
Chairperson |
70-3593 |
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Mr DA Macrae |
Treasurer |
70-1215 |
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Mrs Donna Macleod |
Parent Member |
70-1658 |
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Mrs Kathryn Maclean |
Parent Member |
70-4602 |
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Mrs P Sinclair |
Parent Member |
70-1521 |
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Miss Ina Ferguson |
Teacher Representative |
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Clerk |
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Mrs Dorothy Kennedy |
Headteacher |
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I would be happy to give
you further details or discuss any concerns which you may have about your
child's education.
The Infant Room for Primaries 1, 2 and 3 has its own en-suite toilet facilities. There is also a lovely welcoming library area in this classroom which can be utilised by the whole school.
Primaries 4 and 5 and Primaries 6 and 7 are taught in modern, well-planned classrooms.
The Portacabin (which is to be known as the General Purpose Room) was added on to the school and is utilised by the Music and Art specialists.
Mrs White, the PE Specialist has been able to use the school hall, for gymnastics, as a result of its enhanced provision.
The school is a warm and welcoming environment and one which the children and staff feel delighted to be a part of, and which the community at large, can be proud to have in their midst.
• We aim to create a caring, secure
and challenging environment conducive to
teaching and learning in which each individual can realise his/her potential.
• We aim to offer a well planned and
balanced curriculum appropriate to the
needs of our children and in line with 5-14 guidelines.
• We aim to provide a variety of
teaching and learning approaches suited to the individual
needs of our children in order to develop their knowledge to the full.
• We aim to identify and develop the
talents of our children so that they achieve their
maximum. We continue to monitor progress by using appropriate assessment
techniques relevant to the children’s daily learning experiences at each stage
of
development.
• We aim to maintain a shared responsibility with parents in the education of their children enabling us to work together for the welfare of the children.
• We aim to encourage strong links with the community at large by making effective use of the local environment.
Our current school roll and a full list of our teaching and non-teaching staff are set out at
Appendix 1.
Infants join the School in August each year, but enrolment usually takes place in February on a date notified, by press advertisement, to parents of prospective pupils. Children who will be five years old before the last day of the following February are eligible for infant enrolment. At the time of enrolment, parents should bring their child's birth certificate with them to the school and should inform the school of any medical problems or special needs which their child may have.
Other children, whose families have just moved into our catchment area, should be accompanied by a parent or guardian on their first day of reporting to the School.
Parents of children who live outside our official catchment area and who wish their child(ren) to attend Tong School must submit a placing request before their child can be accepted for enrolment to the School. Parents who wish to make a placing request should contact:
PRIMARY Mr Bernard Chisholm Head of Inclusion and Early Years Department of Education Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Sandwick Road Stornoway Telephone 01851 70 3773 ext 435
Pupils start school at
9.00am and continue until 3.20pm.
The school day for pupils is structured as follows:
Timetable
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School Opens |
Morning Interval |
Lunch Interval |
School Closes |
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Teachers |
09.00 |
10.45-11.05 |
12.30-13.30 |
15.20 |
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Pupils |
09.00 |
10.45-11.05 |
12.30-13.30 |
15.20 |
Tong School offers a broad, balanced and progressive curriculum in line with 5-14 National Guidelines which ensures that continunity and coherence are intrinsic. The main curriculum areas are:
English
Gaelic
French
Maths
Religious and Moral Education, with Health Education and Personal and Social Development
Expressive Arts Physical Education
Art
Music
Drama
Environmental Studies Geography
History
Science
Modern Studies
Technology
The children have available a wide variety of materials and pursue their activities in a stimulating and challenging informal environment. Every effort is made to cater for the individual needs of the child (social, emotional and physical) in addition to the academic development. The pupils become literate and numerate using learning materials and methods which are now well known in primary schools. Environmental Studies are generally taught as discrete subjects in this school.
Tong School is a bi-lingual school where some of the instruction and a good deal of the incidental conversation is conducted in Gaelic. It is hoped that such an approach will increase
proficiency in the language and impart confidence in those learning Gaelic.
For Music, Art and Physical Education our class teachers are assisted by the visiting specialist teachers.
Assessment is the means of obtaining information which allows teachers, pupils and parents to determine what a pupil is actually achieving in relation to expectations of achievement and drawing conclusions from that comparison. Teachers report on pupils' progress and attainment across the whole curriculum, using their professional judgement and the evidence available to them from continuous assessment throughout the year. National Assessments provide an additional and important source of evidence about pupils' attainment in Reading, Writing and Mathematics in relation to nationally agreed and understood standards and Teachers use the National Assessments to check their own findings.
Reports on pupils’ progress are an important form of communication between home and school. Pupils receive a written report twice a year. Parents' meetings are held twice a year in November and May when parents can discuss their child's progress with the class teacher. In addition to these scheduled evenings, parents are welcome to telephone the Head Teacher and arrange an appointment to visit the school to discuss any matter which is causing them concern.
Formative Assessment is being undertaken this year as part of the School Development Plan. An opportunity was given to parents to receive information on this at the Parent-Teacher meeting held in November. Any parent who wishes further information can receive this by telephoning the school.
When pupils complete P7 they will normally transfer to:
Back School
School Road
Back
Tel: 01851 820 230
Tong School aims to develop the spiritual, moral, social and cultural values of its pupils, having regard to the values of the community and guided by the recommendations contained in national and regional guidelines.
As a non-denominational school, we have pupils from different religions and backgrounds. All pupils have Religious Education each week but parents who wish to exercise their right to withdraw their child from Religious Education should put their request in writing to the Head Teacher.
Rev ID Campbell, School Chaplain, conducts Assembly at the school on a fortnightly basis each Friday afternoon, and the Headteacher conducts the Assembly each alternative week.
The Education Authority aims to educate pupils with Additional Learning Needs with their peer group, in a mainstream class in their local school. Where necessary, extra help is provided in the form of learning support. This help is delivered in a flexible manner and the pupils can be seen individually, in a group or in class. In addition, the Learning Support teacher and the Authority's Psychological Service can advise teachers on teaching materials, methods and programmes of work which are appropriate to pupils’ additional learning needs. In circumstances where a pupil requires help with mobility or toileting, the authority provides non-teaching auxiliaries. Input from the Learning Support specialist is delivered on two afternoons a week. The school does not have a special class or unit.
The Learning Support Teacher works closely with identified children who may have learning difficulties. After the parents have been informed (that the child appears to have a learning difficulty), information is gathered and analysed for assessment and construction of a learning needs profile. The area of needs would be highlighted and an individual programme of work planned in consultation with all concerned. This then guides the class teacher and the Learning Support teacher to provide a structured learning programme well suited to the child’s needs.
The Education Authority aims as far as is possible to educate pupils who have additional support needs alongside their peer group, in a mainstream class at their local school. Where necessary, extra help is provided in the form of learning or behaviour support. This help is delivered in a flexible manner and the pupils can be seen individually, in a group or in class. In addition, the Authority's Psychological Service advises teachers on teaching materials, methods and programmes of work which are appropriate to support pupils’ needs. If a child’s needs are so severe or complex that they cannot be educated within a mainstream class, the Authority has made special dedicated provision available at four schools across the Western Isles.
Where a child has significant learning difficulties, the Psychological Service may establish a Co-ordinated Support Plan, in consultation with parents and other agencies involved with the child. The Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) replaces Records/Statements of Need, and is used to ensure a co-ordinated approach to providing support for children. The CSP will summarise assessments carried out for the child, explain the nature of the child's difficulties and outline the steps the Authority will take to support the pupil’s needs. An assessment service is also provided by the itinerant teacher of children with visual and hearing impairment.
Tong School became part of the Early Intervention Literacy Project five years ago. The aim of the project is to raise the level of achievement in reading, writing and number for all pupils at the early stages of Primary School.
In Tong School we greatly value partnership with parents and staff. We see the importance of ensuring that parents know how we teach and why we teach what we do. We encourage parents to participate in extra-curricular activities eg swimming, sports, concerts and Mod. Many parents and members of the community have expertise and knowledge which the teaching staff do not have. We try and capitalise on this by inviting them to come into the class and talk to the children, thus enriching the children’s education
Tong School is working towards becoming a health promoting school, committed to providing the environment and opportunity for pupils to :
- develop informed attitudes and values relating to health, enabling them to make choices which will be of value now, in their present lives and also in the future;
- achieve knowledge and understanding of human development and relationships;
- achieve their physical, mental and social potential and to improve their self awareness and self esteem;
- develop a range of skills to enable them to participate effectively and safely in society and to take positive control of their health.
Background
A Scottish Executive Government initiative providing guidelines that stipulate the Scottish Nutrient Standards that all schools have to adhere to when provididng a school meal service.
Main Aim
For pupils to eat healthier balanced meals. We hope to educate children in order for them to be able to make their own informed choices, which could impact on their future well being. We want to eliminate the choice of less healthy food items returning to school meals menu.
v Primary menu meeting Hungry for Success nutritional guidelines.
v Healthy packed lunch option made available.
v Removal of salt / no sauces on offer.
v Free portion of bread / selection of salad items offered daily.
v Removal of all canned and full sugar drinks.
v Introduction of a pupils choice whereby pupils get to choose what is on the menu one day a month.
v Improved presentation – new crockery, displays, etc.
v Staff nutritional training.
v Enhanced dining atmosphere – plants, music, furniture.
Healthy food to be increased on menu by December 2006. We are looking to run taster sessions and liaise with school boards to get ideas and feedback. We also welcome any suggestions / comments you may have
Contacts
Kitty MacCuish, Operations Manager……… 01851 709487
Janette Sutton, Assistant Operations Manager … 01851 709452
Esther Macdonald, Assistant Operations Manager … 01870 603567
Menu Planner – Appendix 11
Meals are cooked on the premises and served in the school canteen. At present the school meal is priced at £1.50. Menus are prepared in advance and distributed to parents to allow them to make the meal choice for their child. The menu is also displayed on the school notice board. Facilities for eating packed lunches are provided in the school canteen.
Parents should let the School know in advance if their child has any special dietary requirements.
Children of parents in receipt of Income Support are entitled to a free midday meal. Further information and application forms can be obtained from the School, or from:
Education and Leisure Services Department
Comhairle nan Eilean
Sandwick Road
Stornoway
Telephone 01851 703773 ext 546
Health Promoting School
Tong School is working towards becoming a health promoting school, committed to providing the environment and opportunity for pupils to :
develop informed attitudes and values relating to health, enabling them to make choices which will be of value now, in their present lives and also in the future; achieve knowledge and understanding of human development and relationships; achieve their physical, mental and social potential and to improve their self awareness and self esteem; develop a range of skills to enable them to participate effectively and safely in society and to take positive control of their health.
It is our aim to promote the health of the children, parents and the wider community by a combination of Health Education activities and curricular in-put. There is a health promoting tuck shop in the school where the children are able to purchase a variety of snacks – low fat crisps, pure fruit juice and toast. All pupils are given the opportunity of obtaining one-third of a pint of semi-skimmed milk on a daily basis. Free fruit for all pupils is also available; P1 / 2 pupils receive free fruit three times a week and pupils in P3 – 7 receive fruit once a week.
Children use the sports centre for swimming. They are also encouraged to participate in all after school activities such as football, pivot ball, basketball, badminton netball, etc. The local community centre is available to the school for PE activities if and when required.
The Active Schools team has recently been established across the Western Isles. This is a national initiative funded by the Scottish Executive. The main aim of Active Schools is to get young people across the Western Isles more active, more often. Our aim is to have 80% of primary school children active for a minimum of one hour per day on at least five days of the week by 2007. (sportscotland; Sport 21; 2003 - 2007)
To allow Active Schools to increase physical activity opportunities for your children we need you - parents, family, friends etc to get involved. This could be helping with an After School club, sports coaching or just assisting in any way that will increase young people's physical activity levels. We will provide you with training, support and resources. Go on volunteer today - don't wait for someone else to do it!
How to contact your Active Schools co-ordinator -
Fiona Brodie, Active Schools Co-ordinator, Greater Broadbay Area, 01851 707459, fiona.brodie@cne-siar.gov.uk
Pupils are expected to spend some time on homework in the evening. The purpose of homework is to help pupils consolidate their class work, whether it be revision, completion of further examples or extension reading.
Homework also helps to develop self discipline and encourages independent learning. It also enables the parents to become familiar with, and be actively involved, in the content of the curriculum.
At the infant stage the class teacher will write in the child’s homework diary the work for that evening. By middle and upper primary stage the children are expected to note down for themselves, when told the homework for that evening. The work for the week should be signed by a parent when they are satisfied that the work has been done to the child’s best ability.
Pupils compete in the local Mod taking part in choral, solo and recitation events. They entertain the senior citizens both in the Tong community and at a residential home for the elderly in Stornoway.
They are given opportunity to compete in football and pivot ball tournaments, and many of them avail themselves of the football training given at the Back Development Centre. Many of the pupils also participate in the community Youth Club, Brownies, Highland Dancing and Music Clubs.
The school runs a Homework Club at different times of the year. This session the club will give the children experience in Drama, Music, curriculum work and Basketball.
School starts with morning registration in class. Lateness is noted. If a child has not arrived at school by 9.30 am and the school have not been contracted to indicate a pupil’s absence, then the school secretary will telephone the pupils home to ensure the well being and safety of the child.
If pupils cannot attend school because of illness or other circumstances parents should telephone the school with an explanation of the absence. It is also useful if a note can be sent to the school explaining a long term absence in advance of the pupil's return to school.
Parents must put all requests for leave of absence to the Head Teacher in writing giving full information on the exact date, time and reason for the absence. Where possible, requests for absence should be submitted at least one week in advance of the proposed date(s).
Together with having targets for Numeracy and Literacy, Schools are now required to have targets for pupil attendance.
Under guidelines issued by the Scottish Office Education Department, schools must now register absences as authorised or unauthorised. In the light of this I would ask you as parents, as far as possible, to ensure that family holidays coincide with school holidays.
All schools must have rules if pupils are to learn and join in activities, effectively and safely. School rules are primarily for the safety and well-being of pupils, staff and school property. Pupils are expected at all times to exercise common sense and show respect for the safety and comfort of others. Our school rules are set out in Appendix 3.
Unfortunately, there are times when some of these rules are broken and the school system of discipline has a gradually increasing scale of sanctions ranging from verbal admonition and/or punishment exercises, to loss of privileges, detention and parental involvement leading to exclusion from school in a few exceptional cases. We would hope to give parents 'early warning' of any problems and we anticipate active cooperation from parents where necessary so that their child and all others in the school will benefit from the education provided.
Parents should inform the School immediately if they become aware of any incidents of bullying. The child should be encouraged to discuss any worries or problems of this nature with the class teacher/Head Teacher as soon as possible.
Parents should keep a written record of any incidents including the date, the child(ren) involved, and what happened. This will help the school to deal with the situation and agree the best way to support the child inside and outside the school.
We endeavour to create an anti-bullying ethos in the school through school assembly, RME class discussion, circle-time and through instilling caring values in our inter-actions with one another.
The children in Primaries 4, 5, 6 and 7 have all been issued with cards bearing the Council’s Bullying Helpline number on it. It has been pointed out to them that this number is to be used only when all other avenues have failed to help e.g. parents, teachers and guardians.
Tong School uniform is blue and grey-blue V-necks with yellow logo, navy/black skirts/trousers. The school sells jogging suits, T-shirts, V-necks and ties. Prices of each item are available from the school.
All parents in receipt of Family Credit or Income Support are eligible for a clothing grant from the Education Authority to ensure that their children are able to make full use of educational provision. Parents on low incomes may also make an application for a clothing grant. Application forms for clothing grants are available from the:
Education and Leisure
Services Department
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Sandwick Road
Stornoway
Telephone 01851 - 703773 ext. 498
All pupils living over one mile from the school are entitled to free transport to the school. Bus passes are issued to these pupils by the Transportation Department of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Pupils living nearer to the school may use transport where space is available on the vehicle provided for other pupils.
There is no official bus service to and from the school. Some children use the local public bus service both in the morning and at the end of the school day.
When entering and leaving buses, pupils are under the supervision of the driver. Appropriate behaviour while travelling on the bus is expected from all pupils. Any misconduct could lead to the child being excluded from transport
It is our aim to promote the health of the children, parents and the wider community by a combination of Health Education activities and curricular in-put. There is a health promoting tuck shop in the school where the children are able to purchase a variety of snacks – low fat crisps, pure fruit juice and toast. All pupils are given the opportunity of obtaining one-third of a pint of semi-skimmed milk on a daily basis. Free fruit for all pupils is also available; P1 / 2 pupils receive free fruit three times a week and pupils in P3 – 7 receive fruit once a week.
Parents should inform the school without fail of any relevant medical history e.g. asthma, epilepsy, diabetes etc. of which teachers should be aware.
Any pupil who feels unwell in class should inform the class teacher who will make arrangements to seek medical advice if necessary. In some cases it may be necessary to send your child home but this will only be done after consultation with the Head Teacher and after contact has been made with the parent/guardian/emergency contact to make arrangements, including suitable transport.
The School is visited regularly by the Medical Staff who carry out a programme of examinations and immunisation for all pupils. Parents will be informed in advance of these inspections and asked for their consent.
Parents can choose to treat their children privately or avail themselves of the services of the school dentist who visits the school on a regular basis.
Notices describing what to do in the event of a fire are displayed in every room in the school. Teaching staff remind all pupils of fire procedures at regular intervals and the school holds a fire drill once a term.
Children are reminded regularly of the dangers of the busy main road outside the school. The Police Service come and visit the school to give talks to the children on road safety and to test the older children in cycling proficiency. A crossing patrol is in operation outside the main school entrance. The Crossing Patrol Attendant, guides the children safely across the road at the school’s opening and closing times.
It may be necessary, occasionally, to close the school at short notice and send the pupils home - for example, in exceptionally bad weather or if the electricity or heating system fails. In the event of the school closing early due to bad weather, a message will be transmitted on the local radio station, and parents will, as far as possible, be informed. If parents are not regularly at home during school hours, they should always make arrangements to have someone available to receive their children should such an emergency occur. The School will ask each parent to provide the address and/or telephone number of a person who can be contacted in these circumstances.
Parents should also feel free to contact the school if they are concerned about the safety of their children because of severe weather conditions and are at liberty to take them out of the school at any time during these conditions.
Appendix 4 gives details of the school's running costs (on a per pupil basis) compared with other schools in the Western Isles and the Scottish national average.
Appendix 5 gives details of rates of authorised and unauthorised absence for Tong School compared with other schools in the Western Isles and the Scottish national average.
APPENDIX 1
SCHOOL ROLL AND STAFFING
SCHOOL ROLL
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P1 |
P2 |
P3 |
P4 |
P5 |
P6 |
P7 |
TOTAL |
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9 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
6 |
50 |
TEACHING STAFF
RESIDENT TEACHING STAFF
HEAD TEACHER: MRS D KENNEDY
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NAME |
POST/SUBJECT(S) |
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Mrs Malvene Macrae |
Teacher of Primary 6 and 7 |
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Miss Yvonne Maclean |
Teacher of Primary 3, 4 and 5 |
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Miss I Ferguson |
Teacher of Primary 1& 2 |
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NON-RESIDENT TEACHING STAFF
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NAME |
SUBJECT(S) |
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Mrs J White |
P.E. |
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Mrs M Smith |
Art |
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Mr I M Morrison |
Chanter |
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Mrs E Rank |
Music |
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Mrs B Matheson |
Learning Support Teacher |
NON-TEACHING STAFF
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Mrs C Moody |
School Assistant |
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Mrs S Lloyd |
Auxiliary |
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Mrs M J MacLeod |
Cleaner |
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Mrs M Macleod |
Cook |
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Miss A Maciver |
Kitchen Assistant |
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Mr D Macdonald |
Acting Playground Supervisor |
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Mr D Macdonald |
Patrol Crossing Attendant |
APPENDIX 2
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TERM: AUTUMN 2006 |
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Monday 14 August |
School opens (for staff) |
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Thursday 17 August |
School opens (for pupils) |
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Friday 13 October |
School closes Autumn holiday |
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TERM: WINTER 2006 |
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Tuesday 24 October |
School opens (for staff)) |
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Thursday 26 October |
School opens (for pupils) |
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Friday 22 December |
School closes for Christmas holiday at 12.30 pm |
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TERM: SPRING 2007 |
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Tuesday 9 January |
School opens (for staff and pupils) |
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Friday 30 March |
School closes for Easter holiday |
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TERM: SUMMER 2007 |
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Monday 16 April |
School opens (for staff and pupils) |
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Friday 29 June |
School closes for Summer holiday at 12.30 pm |
These are linked to the safety and well-being of the children and generally apply to noise/movement within the school in wet/dry weather, to road safety and to areas where cycling and games are not allowed.
1. We stay inside the playground during playtime.
2. We play outside except when the weather is bad.
P1 & 2 and P6 & 7 will play in the main hall when the weather is bad.
P3, 4 & 5 will play with the wet weather toys in their own corridor under Mr Macdonald’s supervision.
3. We leave our bicycles in the bicycle racks and use the playground area for playing only.
4. We do not run in the corridors. We walk in the corridors.
5. We never chew gum in school.
6. We must always leave the toilet door unlocked after using the toilet.
7. We are proud of our new school and we like to always keep it neat and tidy – inside and outside.
8. We wipe our feet prior to entering the school foyer.
9. Children must behave appropriately on school transport. Any form of misbehaviour could lead to a child being excluded from transport.
10. Bad language must never be used.
11. Bullying must not take place.
12. Pupils must show respect to teacher and pupil alike.
13. Fighting must never take place
APPENDIX 4
Budgeted running costs: 2005-06 Financial Year
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School Roll at September 2004
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Total Budget expenditure at April 2004 (£)
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Cost per pupil (£)
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Scotland
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398,148 |
1,228,305,679 |
3,085 |
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Western Isles
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2,097 |
11,567,562 |
5,516 |
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Tong School
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52 |
239,291 |
4,602 |
APPENDIX 5
Attendance Rates for School Year 2003/04
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Total Number of Possible Attendances(pupil half day – 000) |
||||||||
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P1 |
P2 |
P3 |
P4 |
P5 |
P6 |
P7 |
P1-P7 |
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Scotland |
20374990 |
21119901 |
21205662 |
21587560 |
21957184 |
22413197 |
22838611 |
151497105 |
|
Western Isles |
107554 |
102275 |
116084 |
129512 |
118055 |
113510 |
138464 |
825454 |
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Tong School (Actual) |
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3200 |
3997 |
2884 |
4773 |
2000 |
|
20674 |
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Percentage Authorised Absences |
||||||||
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|
P1 |
P2 |
P3 |
P4 |
P5 |
P6 |
P7 |
P1-P7 |
|
Scotland |
4.5 |
4.2 |
3.9 |
3.8 |
3.8 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
4.0 |
|
Western Isles |
5.0 |
4.0 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
4.2 |
4.5 |
4.5 |
4.4 |
|
Tong School |
|
208 |
4.9 |
3.4 |
2.9 |
4.1 |
|
3.7 |
|
Percentage Unauthorised Absences |
||||||||
|
|
P1 |
P2 |
P3 |
P4 |
P5 |
P6 |
P7 |
P1-P7 |
|
Scotland |
0.7 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
|
Western Isles |
0.2 |
0.1 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
Tong School |
|
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
|
|
Absence recorded (2002/03) Average number of half days absence per pupil |
Absence redorded (2003/04) Average number of half days absence per pupil |
|
Scotland |
19.4 |
18.0 |
|
Western Isles |
17.6 |
16.3 |
|
Tong School |
10.0 |
14.2 |
|
|
|
|
APPENDIX 6
In Tong School, the staff take a positive attitude towards behaviour, encouraging pupils to develop responsible, social attitudes, good manners, honesty, self-control and consideration for others.
We teach our pupils to abide by the school rules because they are important to the health and safety of themselves and others.
We give positive recognition to pupils who are behaving responsibly. In the upper school, pupils are encouraged to take tasks of responsibility within the day to day organisation of the school.
A pupil council consisting of pupils in Primary 7 also exists in the school.
We expect our pupils’ behaviour to be a credit to their families, the school and the community, both in the precincts of the school and while travelling to and from the school.
When any pupil fails to follow the school rules or where misbehaviour occurs, each incident is considered by the class teacher or the head teacher. Pupils may receive a verbal reprimand and/or, a relevant punishment exercise, detention or loss of privileges as a result of misbehaviour.
Where persistent misbehaviour occurs, discussion between parents and head teacher or class teacher takes place with the aim of ensuring that the school and parents are working together to find a solution.
We encourage our pupils to approach the head teacher and/or class teacher with any worries or problems encountered in the school environment and to report any incidents of a bullying nature. We also encourage them to tell an adult, parent, friend or even another pupil who may bring the problem to the attention of someone who may be able to help.
We urge parents to inform the school if their child is being upset by the behaviour of other pupils in the school so that the matter may be discussed and the apparent problem resolved.
We endeavour to create an anti-bullying ethos in the school through the school assembly, RME class discussion and through instilling caring values in our interactions with one another. An aspect of the on-going “circle-time” throughout the school, ensures that pupils are given the opportunity of ‘talking things through’.
Children are made aware that bullying may be:
Physical bullying - pushing, kicking, hitting, punching and any form of violence.
Verbal bullying - name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing, threats.
Racist, cultural bullying - gestures, comments, graffiti.
Sexual bullying - unwanted physical contact, suggestive written or verbal comments.
Staff are made aware of possible signs to look out for, although it is important to realise that there may be reasons other than bullying for these signs.
Possible signs are :-
fear of travelling to and from school, either on foot or by bus.
fear of being around the school at breaks and lunchtime.
poor attendance, truancy.
loss of books, jotters, school bags.
underachievement.
unexplained bruises, scratches, torn clothes.
becoming withdrawn anxious – showing signs of being unhappy for no apparent reasons.
Teachers will be vigilant, acknowledge any signs of distress which may indicate bullying, isolation, unexpected deterioration in work, insecurity, poor unexplained attendance and even health problems.
Teachers will take the children’s complaints seriously, record alleged incidents, inform the parents/guardians of the parties involved, discuss the matter with all parties involved and monitor the situation until the matter is resolved.
APPENDIX 7
Tong Primary School generally discourages parents and pupils from bringing mobile phones or other valuable items to the school on the grounds that they may get lost or stolen. If a phone or other valuable item is brought to the school, parents are advised that, where possible, the items should be marked in some way to aid future identification if lost and subsequently found.
2. If a pupil does bring a mobile phone to school, the phone must remain switched off during the school day and may not be used on school premises, grounds or during off-site school curricular activities (such as swimming or other sports activities). The only exceptions to this will be on school trips, where the school will have discretion to allow pupils to carry and use phones if they wish (eg during planned solo activities), in emergencies or with the express approval of a member of school staff.
3.
If a pupil is found by a member of staff to be using a mobile phone for any
purpose, without authorisation, the phone will be confiscated from the pupil and
will generally only be returned to the pupil’s parent. However, the phone may
be returned directly to the pupil:
a) on a first breach, if it is clear that the pupil did not understand the school’s policy on the use of mobile phones; or
b) in a situation where there is genuine concern that the pupil requires the phone directly after the school day on security, health and safety or similar grounds; or
c) on receipt of a signed authorisation from the parent, where travel or other issues make it difficult for the parent to attend the school to receive the phone.
Appendix 8
Internet Access Policy
This policy outlines our purpose in providing e-mail facilities and access to the internet at Tong School and explains how Tong School is seeking to avoid the potential problems that unrestricted internet access could give rise to.
Providing access to the internet in school will raise educational standards and support the professional work of staff.
Teachers and pupils will have access to web sites world-wide (including museums and art galleries) offering educational resources, news and current events. There will be opportunities for discussion with experts in many fields and to communicate and exchange information with students and others world-wide.
In addition, staff will have the opportunity to access educational materials and good curriculum practices; to communicate with the advisory and support services, professional associations and colleagues; exchange curriculum and administration data with the LEA and SEED; receive up-to-date information and participate in government initiatives such as NGfL and the Scottish Virtual Teacher Centre.
In the longer term the internet may also be used to enhance the school’s management information and business administration systems.
Staff, including supply staff, will not be expected to take charge of an internet activity without training. Staff should be given opportunities to discuss the issues and develop good teaching strategies. All staff (including teachers, supply staff and classroom assistants) and any other adults involved in supervising children accessing the internet, will be provided with the School Internet Access Policy, and will have its importance explained to them.
Parents’ attention will be drawn to the Policy by letter in the first instance and, thereafter, in our school prospectus. Our school Internet Access Policy will be available for parents and others to read on demand.
APPENDIX 9
Tong School Website
Our school web site is intended to:
¨ provide accurate, up-to-date information about our school;
¨ enable pupils to publish work to a high standard, for a very wide audience including parents, staff, members of the local community and others;
¨ celebrate good work;
¨ provide pupils with the opportunity to publish their work on the internet;
¨ promote the school.
In the future it may be used to publish resources for projects or homework.
All classes may provide work for publication on the school web site. Class teachers will be responsible for ensuring that the content of the pupils’ work is accurate and the quality of presentation is maintained. All material must be the author’s own work, crediting other work included and stating clearly that author’s identity and/or status. Iain Mackenzie has kindly offered to up-load pages to the school web site, ensuring that the links work and are up-to-date, and that the site meets the requirements of the site host.
The point of contact on the web site will be the school address, telephone number and e-mail address. We do not publish pupils’ full names or photographs that identify individuals on our web pages. Home information or individual e-mail identities will not be published. Staff will be identified by their title and surname unless they request otherwise. Permission will be sought from other individuals before they are referred to by name on any pages we publish on our web site.
School website address: http://www: tongschool.org.uk