Prospectus
ABOUT THORNTON-IN CRAVEN
SCHOOL Thornton-in Craven School
was built in 1908. In 1976 an extension was built to provide a dining room.
This has now become a classroom. In 1990 new toilets and cloakrooms were
provided and a temporary classroom was placed on site. In 1999
offices/staffroom and more teaching space were built.
The school catchment
area includes the parishes of Thornton
-in-Craven, Broughton and Elslack. Recently many parents have chosen to
send their children from Earby and Barnoldswick to the school by applying
through the Craven Education Offices at Skipton.
The school can
accommodate 83 children in three classes. The school day starts at 9 a.m.
and finishes at 3.30 p.m. Lunch is from 12 - 1 p.m. Morning and afternoon
breaks are of 15 minutes.
TEACHING STAFF
Mrs K Hawkins
Acting Head Class 3 (9-11 year olds)
Mrs J. Scargill Class 3 (9-11 year olds)
Mrs J Brook Class 2 (6-9 year olds)
Mrs C Birtley
Class 2 (6-9 year olds)
Mrs R. Aldren class 1 (4-6 year olds)
NON-TEACHING STAFF
Mrs. M.
Leeming Secretary / Midday Supervisor
Mrs. L. Bowker Teaching Assistant / Midday Supervisor
Mrs. L. Procter Teaching Assistant
Mrs. J. Jones Cook
Mr. S. Mawdsley Caretaker
Music tuition:
Guitar
is provided by Mrs R Callan
Flute & clarinet are provided by Miss K Eglinton
Cello & violin are provided by Mrs C Dittman
Brass is provided by Ms P Whitehead
Parent Consultation:
Autumn Term and Summer Term
Two Open Evenings are
held each year for parents to discuss children's work and in the Summer
Term parents are given written reports on children’s progress. An Open Day
is held in the Summer Term to give parents and local residents the
opportunity to see the school at work. Parents are most welcome to see
teachers at other times but we would prefer that where possible parents do
telephone and arrange a mutually suitable time with the teacher.
AIMS OF THORNTON-IN-CRAVEN SCHOOL
At Thornton-in-Craven we aim, in partnership
with parents and guardians, to provide a high quality learning environment
to help all children realise their full potential, intellectually,
physically and socially.
Our more specific
aims are to help children to:
- enjoy learning and to
become independent, self-disciplined and self- motivated and to
achieve the highest standards of which they are capable;
- develop lively, enquiring,
imaginative and creative minds, the confidence to question, and the
ability to argue rationally;
- acquire knowledge, skills
and training relevant to their own lives and to adult life and
employment in a rapidly changing world;
- develop, recognise and
value a sense of right and wrong and to understand the society in
which they live and recognise their obligations towards it;
- develop a concern for the
quality of their immediate environment and an understanding of the
world in which they live and work, and the inter-dependence of
individuals, groups and nations;
- develop an awareness and
appreciation of human achievements and aspirations in our own and
other societies;
- develop and act on a
personal set of values, beliefs and attitudes and to gain
understanding of and respect for religious and moral values and an
appreciation and tolerance of other groups, races, religions and ways
of life and points of view;
Whatever their
age, ability, background, gender or special needs.
THE SCHOOL
CURRICULUM
The curriculum is
planned to meet all the current statutory requirements of the National
Curriculum including Attainment Targets, Programmes of Study, and
Assessment arrangements. The core subjects are Mathematics, English and
Science. Other foundation subjects are History, Geography, Technology,
Music, Art and Physical Education. The basic curriculum also includes
Religious Education. Parents can see the documents to be made available
under Statutory Regulations in school.
English
The Literacy hour is undertaken in
school and the programme of work outlined in the Literacy strategy is used.
Speaking and
listening
Language is generated and extended through the inter-relation of listening,
talking, reading and writing. All children are encouraged to become good
talkers and listeners.
Reading
Books play an important part in language development both at home and
school. A range of big books and text on OHP are used for class reading.
The Oxford Reading Tree is the basic reading scheme used in schools and
this is supplemented by other schemes and books some of which are colour
coded so that within a careful structure the children are able to choose
books that interest them. Children take books home. Parents are encouraged
to hear them read regularly. Reading
is taught through a mixture of a whole word and a phonic approach.
Writing
Children write for many different purposes, imaginative and descriptive,
factual, letter writing and poetry. They are encouraged to develop their
writing style in shared group and individual writing activities. By looking
at examples of work by established authors children learn the correct
grammar and punctuation and how to develop an imaginative writing style.
Spelling
Spelling is taught systematically throughout school following the programme
of study in the National Literacy Strategy. Children learn spelling through
rhyme and phonics. They also learn spelling rules and the correct use of
dictionaries and thesaurus. The Look, Cover, Write and Check technique is
used.
Drama
Children of all ages are encouraged to express themselves through drama.
Occasionally, plays and concerts are performed for parents.
Mathematics
The Numeracy hour has been introduced into school and the programme of work
outlined in the Numeracy Strategy is used. All work is carefully structured
with each child working at his own level of ability. Children are
encouraged to discuss mathematical ideas with the teacher and each other
and to take part in mathematical investigations. Appropriate practical work
is given to introduce new concepts. Fundamental mental maths skills and
routines are consolidated and practised regularly. A problem solving
approach is used which links mathematics to everyday life. Children's
progress is regularly assessed and tables are taught. The following main
areas of mathematics are covered:-
Using and applying mathematics.
Number.
Shape and Space.
Handling data.
Science
A combination of NYCC building blocks and QCA are used to plan the
curriculum. The following broad areas of Science are covered:-
Scientific Investigation.
Life and Living processes.
Materials and their properties.
Physical Processes.
Topic work
Topic work is carefully planned using a subject building block approach and
QCA programme of study to ensure that over a period of time all the
programmes of study in Science, Technology, History and Geography are
covered. Each term a new theme is introduced and children learn new skills
through a first hand experience approach. Use is made of the local
environment, visits to nearby sites and the museum service to stimulate
project work
Geography
Children will study the physical, human and environmental aspects of
Geography. These themes will be studied by looking at their own local
environment, contrasting localities in the U.K. and further afield.
History
Through History children should be able to interpret and understand the
events of the past. The content of the History curriculum reflects the
requirements of the programmes of study for National Curriculum History
Design and
Technology
Children will learn how to identify needs and opportunities, generate a
design, plan and make models and evaluate their work. Through Information
Technology children will learn how to use computers to store and retrieve
information and to prepare databases. Each classroom has its own computer.
Music
Children are encouraged to be performers and listeners. They are given
opportunities to make their own music, sing and play a musical instrument
and also listen to music. There are several recorder groups in school.
Peripatetic music teachers come to teach strings, woodwind, keyboard and
brass.
Physical
Education
In P.E. children will
be encouraged to develop physical competence, to value the benefits of
participating in a physical activity, and to develop an appreciation of
skillful and creative performances in all areas. P.E. can also contribute
to the establishment of self-esteem and the development of interpersonal
skills as members of a team. The areas of activity covered in school will
be Athletics, Dance, Games, Gymnastics and Swimming.
Religious Education
Religious Education shares common ground with the other elements of the
curriculum contributing to the personal, moral and social development of
children. Religious Education and the daily Act of Collective Worship are
of a broadly Christian character reflecting the broad traditions of
Christian belief without being distinctive of any particular Christian
denomination. Parents have a right to withdraw their child from R.E. should
they so wish.
Sex Education
Following consultation with parents at the Annual meeting with parents held
on 23rd November 1999 it was decided that the school policy on Sex
Education should be: “that children's questions will be answered openly and
honestly and teachers will encourage children to have due regard to moral
consideration and the value of family life.” If the Headteacher considers
that a particular Year 6 group should have more formal Sex Education he/she
will consult parents before doing so. Material books/videos which may be
used will be available for parents to see and comment on and all parents
will be informed of their rights to withdraw a child if they wish.
EXTRA CURRICULAR
ACTIVITIES
Clubs
The school runs very popular Art, Cookery, Football and Nature clubs. The
Club runs for forty five minutes after school. A guitar club takes place on
a Monday lunchtime.
Residential
Outdoor Education Centre Visits
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River Walking
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Mountain
Climbing
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Each
year Y5 and Y6 pupils are given the opportunity to go on a 5 day visit to
Humphrey Head Outdoor Education Centre. The Centre is run by North
Yorkshire Council Education Department and takes approximately 30 pupils.
Usually we have the centre to ourselves but occasionally we share it with
another small school. The instructors are fully qualified teachers who
specialise in Outdoor Education. The centre staff and teachers support
the children in all activities. The adult to child ratio is usually 1-6 while
the pupils are involved in the activities. At night the pupils sleep in
dormitories with staff rooms adjacent. The meals are excellent and all
are cooked on site. Activities include rock climbing and abseiling,
walking, canoeing, orienteering, gorge walking and mountain walking. The
children are encouraged to work as a team, helping each other, to become
self-reliant and independent. The visit is so popular that most pupils go
in Y5 and repeat the visit in Y6.
Pastoral Care
The class teacher plays the most important role in the pastoral care of
the children. Children are expected to behave sensibly whilst in school.
They are expected to show respect for adults and each other and behave in
an orderly manner. Lapses in good behaviour are dealt with in school.
Should there be a problem which a teacher is unable to cope with the
L.E.A. Pupil and Parent Support Services are available.
FOODS
Sweets
No sweets are to be brought to school. Fruit may be eaten at playtime.
Milk and Fruit
The school provides milk and fruit for the children who want it at
playtime. It is free for the younger children and is subsidised for the
older children to keep the cost down to 60p per week for milk and 50p per
week for fruit. The school is part of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme
and the children in classes 1 & 2 receive a free piece of fruit or
vegetable each day.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance
figures for year ending 31st December 2006
- authorised absences 2.8%
- unauthorised absences
0.0%
Absence
Pupils who are unwell should not be sent to school. If a child becomes
ill in school or has an accident, parents will be contacted. All parents
must provide home and work telephone numbers and a number to contact in
case of an emergency i.e. a relative. When your child is ill please
telephone school on the first day of absence and send a written note of
explanation on the day of return. When children are absent for any other
reason than illness, permission should first be obtained from the
Headteacher. Children should be in the school yard by 8.55 a.m. ready for
a prompt start at 9 a.m. Wherever possible holidays should be taken
outside term time – only 10 days can be authorised to accompany parents
on family annual holidays.
HEALTH
Asthma
Many children with asthma will be prescribed inhalers for use before
exercise or in emergency. The school policy in line with the Medical
Officer of Health's recommendations is that:- Older children may carry
their own inhaler or keep them in their drawer. Younger children should
place their inhalers in the teacher's drawer. These are unlocked and an
asthmatic child will have free access as and when required without
necessarily asking the teacher's permission. This accessibility will be
carefully explained and strictly ensured at all times. Teachers will take
all reasonable steps to ensure that inhalers are taken where necessary
before exercise.
Medicines
Doctors frequently advise that pupils should attend school while still
needing to take medicine. Normally parents should be responsible for the
administration of such medicine, i.e. coming to school to give the dose.
However, if this is not feasible parents should:-
- send the smallest
practicable dose to school with clear written instructions for
administration, giving the name of the pupil.
INSURANCE
The County Council only insures against injury caused to children as a
result of negligence of the Authority, its servants or agents, and does
not insure to pay compensation following any injury suffered by a pupil.
It is the responsibility of parents to arrange and pay premiums for
personal accident insurance if they wish to do so. Details of Insurance
Policies are available in school. Insurance is taken out for each child
by the school for trips and residential visits.
FRIENDS OF THORNTON SCHOOL
The Friends of Thornton School meet regularly for educational, social and
fund raising activities and welcome all parents to join them.
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