|
Policies |
01935 872430 |
 |
St Andrew's CE Primary School Child Protection Policy
|  |
St Andrew's CE VC Primary School Yetminster Equal Opportunities Policy  (see also Disability Non-Discrimination; EAL; Gifted and Talented; Racial Equality; SEN)
1 Introduction
1.1 Our school's ethos statement talks of valuing the individuality of all of our children. We are committed to giving all our children every opportunity to achieve the highest of standards. We do this by taking account of pupils' varied experiences and needs. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum, and have high expectations of all children. The achievements, attitudes and well-being of all our children matter. This policy is intended to help to ensure that this school promotes the individuality of all children, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, attainment, age, disability, gender or background.
1.2 This policy accords with legislation:
• Race Relations (Amendment) Act (2000);
• Disability Discrimination (Amendment) Act (2002);
• Sex Discrimination Act (1975).
2 Aims and objectives
2.1 We do not discriminate against anyone, be they staff or pupil or parent, on the grounds of ethnicity, religion, attainment, age, disability, gender or background.
2.2 We promote the principle of fairness and justice for all through the education that we provide in our school. We recognise that doing this may entail treating some pupils differently.
2.3 We seek to ensure that all pupils have equal access to the full range of educational opportunities provided by the school.
2.4 We constantly strive to remove any forms of indirect discrimination that may form barriers to learning for some groups.
2.5 We ensure that all recruitment, employment, promotion and training systems are fair to all, and provide opportunities for everyone.
2.6 We challenge personal prejudice and stereotypical views whenever they occur.
2.7 We value each pupil's worth, we celebrate the individuality and cultural diversity of the community centred on our school, and we show respect for all minority groups.
2.8 We are aware that prejudice and stereotyping are caused by poor self-image and by ignorance. Through positive educational experiences, and support for each individual's legitimate point of view, we aim to promote positive social attitudes, and respect for all.
3 Racial equality (please refer to Race Equality policy)
3.1 In our school we will:
• strive to eliminate all forms of racism and racial discrimination;
• promote equality of opportunity;
• promote good relations between people of different racial and ethnic groups.
3.2 It is the right of all pupils to receive the best education the school can provide, with access to all educational activities organised by the school. We do not tolerate any forms of racism or racist behaviour. Should a racist incident occur, we will deal with it in accordance with school procedures (see policies for Racial Equality and for Behaviour).
3.3 We endeavour to make our school welcoming to all minority groups. Thus, for example, we will immediately remove any offensive graffiti that we may find in school. We promote an understanding of diverse cultures through the topics studied by the children, and we reflect this in the displays of work shown around the school.
3.4 Our curriculum reflects the attitudes, values and respect that we have for minority ethnic groups. So, for example, in the curriculum topic on religious festivals, the children learn the importance of Diwali to Hindus and Sikhs.
4 Disability non-discrimination
4.1 Some children in our school have disabilities. We are committed to meeting the needs of these children, as we are to meeting the needs of all within the school. The school fully meets the requirements of the amended Disability Discrimination Act that came into effect in September 2002. All reasonable steps are taken to ensure that these children are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled children.
4.2 The school is committed to providing an environment that allows disabled children full access to all areas of learning.
4.3 Teachers modify teaching and learning as appropriate for children with disabilities. For example, they may give additional time to complete certain activities, or modify teaching materials, or offer alternative activities where children are unable to manipulate tools or equipment.
5 Gender equality
5.1 We are committed to seeing all individuals and groups of pupils making the best progress possible in our school.
5.2 We have put in place a number of measures to raise the achievement of all. These include:
• dealing with negative aspects of poor behaviour, including bullying and name-calling;
• removing gender bias from our resources;
• making sure that our displays reflect both boys and girls as effective learners and achievers;
• encouraging all to read fiction.
5.3 We are committed to:
• beginning a lesson by stating the learning outcomes, and giving the 'big picture';
• employing a variety of activities, and include a kinaesthetic element;
• delivering work in bite-sized chunks, with 'brain breaks' and new starts;
• providing challenge, competition and short-term goals;
• giving regular positive feedback and rewards;
• setting writing tasks that are cross-curricular, that have been modelled first, and for which there are frames and scaffolds available.
5.4 We realise that although gender is one of the key factors affecting educational performance, it affects different sub-groups of boys and girls in different ways. Social class, ethnic origin and local context are all strongly linked to performance. We also seek to ensure that policies designed to improve the attainment of one group does not do so at the expense of achievement of others.
6 The role of governors
6.1 In this policy statement the governing body has set out its commitment to equal opportunities, and it will continue to do all it can to ensure that all members of the school community are treated both fairly and equally.
6.2 The Head and SLT on behalf of and in communication with the Governing Body collects, analyses and evaluates a range of school data. We check that all pupils are making the best possible progress, and that no group of pupils is underachieving. To do this we monitor:
• admissions;
• attainment;
• exclusions;
• rewards and sanctions;
• parents' and pupils' questionnaires.
6.3 The governing body seeks to ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against when applying for jobs at our school. The governors take all reasonable steps to ensure that the school environment properly accommodates people with disabilities.
6.4 The governing body will, in its annual report, make reference to arrangements for disabled pupils.
6.5 The governors welcome all applications to join the school, whatever background or disability a child may have.
6.6 The governing body ensures that no child is discriminated against whilst in our school on account of their sex, religion or race. So, for example, all children have access to the full range of the curriculum, and regulations regarding school uniform will be applied equally to boys and girls. If a child's religion has a bearing on school uniform, then the school will deal with each case sensitively, and with respect for the child's cultural traditions.
7 The role of the headteacher
7.1 It is the headteacher's role to implement the school's policy on equal opportunities, and s/he is supported by the governing body in so doing.
7.2 It is the headteacher's role to make sure that all staff are aware of the school policy on equal opportunities, and that teachers apply these guidelines fairly in all situations.
7.3 The headteacher ensures that all appointments panels give due regard to this policy, so that no-one is discriminated against.
7.4 The headteacher promotes the principle of equal opportunity when developing the curriculum, and in providing opportunities for training.
7.5 The headteacher promotes respect for other people in all aspects of school life; in the assembly, for example, respect for other people is a regular theme, as it is also in displays around the school.
7.6 The headteacher views all incidents of unfair treatment, and any racist incidents, with due concern.
8 The role of the class teacher
8.1 Class teachers recognise their own prejudices, but do their best to ensure that all pupils are treated fairly and with respect. We do not knowingly discriminate against any child.
8.2 When selecting classroom material, teachers strive to provide resources which give positive images, and which challenge stereotypical images of minority groups.
8.3 We seek to implement this policy when designing schemes of work, both in our choice of topics to study, and in how we approach sensitive issues. So, for example, history topics include examples of the significant contributions women have made in this country's history. In geography the teacher attempts to counter stereotypical images of Africa and Asia, and to show the true diversity of development in different parts of the world.
8.4 All our teachers and support staff challenge any incidents of prejudice or racism. We record any incidents with the headteacher.
9 Monitoring and review
9.1 It is the responsibility of our governing body to monitor the effectiveness of this policy. The governors will therefore:
• monitor the progress of pupils from minority groups, comparing it to the progress made by other pupils in the school;
• monitor the staff appointment process, so that no-one applying for a post at this school is discriminated against;
• require the headteacher to report to governors annually on the effectiveness of this policy;
• take into serious consideration any complaints from parents, staff or pupils regarding equal opportunity;
• monitor the school's behaviour policy, and the numbers of exclusions, to make sure that pupils from minority groups are not unfairly treated.
9.2 This policy will be reviewed by the governing body every two years, or earlier if it is considered necessary.
Signed:
Date:
|
ST. ANDREW'S C.E. PRIMARY SCHOOL Yetminster ADMISSION POLICY Children will be admitted to our Reception year in the September prior to their fifth birthday.
All children will be admitted mornings only, in the first term, after which they will normally become full-time pupils.
In the term prior to entry, the School runs a full Induction programme for all its' September intake. This involves at least four visits into school for parents and children, and an opportunity to meet Class Teacher, Headteacher and usually the School Nurse.
Our Early Years' teachers make regular visits with Playgroup and local Nursery and we welcome pre-school children from these groups, with special assemblies and to share our facilities where appropriate. We feel that this pre-school link is vital in settling your child into their new class, and wish to build on the firm foundation laid at home and in the Playgroups/Nursery.
The policy for admissions to St. Andrew's V.C. Primary School is that children are admitted to school in the following priority order:-
1. Children living in the area normally served by a school (see footnote)
2. Children living outside the area and wishing to attend on parental preference grounds
(a) where there are spare places available and the number of preferences is equal to or less than the places available, those out of the area children wishing to attend on parental preference grounds can be admitted.
(b) Where there are spare places available but there is a greater number of preferences, these out of area children will be offered the spare places in the following order (see footnote).
i. An older brother or sister who has been admitted in previous years and who will be attending the school at the time of admission
ii. A child who has particular medical reasons for attending the preferred school, as supported by the Clinical Medical Officer
iii. Particular reasons advanced by the parents which, in the Education Officer's view, deserve priority
iv. If places still remain available, the child's proximity to the preferred school may be taken into account
FOOTNOTES:-
i. If, in the categories listed above, the number of children seeking admission exceeds the number of places which are available at a particular school, decisions as to which children will be allocated a place at that school will be made in the following way:-
(a) Priority 1 children: catchment area children
Places will be allocated by applying the priority order used for considering requests from outside the school's area as decided in paragraphs 2 (b) - (iv) above. In the event of there being more children than places available in any of the categories, the child's proximity to the school will be the determining (i.e. tie-break) factor
(b) Priority 2 children: out of catchment area children.
Places will be allocated by running through each of the criteria in paragraphs 2(b) (I) - (iv) above and in the event of there being more children than places available in any of the categories, the child's proximity to the school will be the determining (i.e. tie-break) factor.
ii. When measuring distances from home to school this is done as in school transport cases, by the shortest distance available walking route, and not, for example, as the crow flies.
iii. The question as to whether there are any spare places available for parental preference cases will be decided by reference to:-
(a) The Standard Number/Admission Number where they are admitted to the year of entry of the school and
(b) The number of children attending the school in particular class/teaching groups and
(c) The total accommodation available, the total number of pupils on roll and to the staffing available at the school.
Notes (a), (b) and (c) apply to requests for admission to the first year of entry to a school: (b) and (c) apply to those being considered for older year groups.
|
|
| |
|
)