Pa

rson Street

Primary School

Thank you for reading our school prospectus. If you are a parent or visitor, this is an opportunity for you to find out more about our exciting school and to find information that might be useful to you. You are very welcome to our school and we look forward to working closely with you.

At Parson Street we make the most of learning. Our school motto encourages us to LIVE and LEARN! We all need to be learners throughout our lives. Whether we are teachers, support staff, governors, parents or children, our aim is that our whole school community will be active learners. Take a look at our vision statement to see how we have developed these ideas.

We are very proud of our school, particularly the care, guidance and support that we provide for our children. We are constantly challenging ourselves to get better and better. We have gained many awards for our work and have also been very fortunate to have a brand new Foundation Stage Suite added to our site, along with a fantastic adventure playground. This all makes Parson Street an exciting place in which to learn.

Within this prospectus we have included pictures of children at work, and some of the work that they have produced, to give you a flavour of what goes on. The best thing to do though is to pay us a visit and talk to the children themselves. If we can be of help in any way please let us know either by telephone, email or in person. Remember you can find out so much more, including taking a virtual tour, on our amazing school website at www.parsonstreet.com.

Welcome to Parson Street Primary Schoolfrom the Headteacher

Our vision is that we will:

Live healthy and happy livesIdentify ways to solve challengesValue and respect everyoneEnjoy learning

Learn to persevereEngage with othersAchieve the best we canRecognise each others’ achievementsNever give up - We can do it!

Our vision is that we will:

Live healthy and happy livesIdentify ways to solve challengesValue and respect everyoneEnjoy learning

Learn to persevereEngage with othersAchieve the best we canRecognise each others’ achievementsNever give up - We can do it!

We want to have the skills that will help us to LIVE and LEARN for lifeWe want to have the skills that will help us to LIVE and LEARN for life

AdmissionsAdmission to the main school is normally in September following the child’s fourth birthday. Children may also transfer at a later date if they move into the area, and parents considering sending their children to Parson Street Primary School are welcome to visit. Parents who are successful in securing a place at Parson Street are invited to visit the school to meet us formally prior to their child starting with us.

School OrganisationThe school is organised into stages: Foundation Stage (ages 3-5), Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11). Within each Key Stage the

children are organised into single year group classes. All classes are mixed ability and with a maximum class size of 30. Teachers in each year group plan together to deliver the curriculum and classes often work together on topics and projects.

AttendanceA full copy of our Attendance Policy is available at www.parsonstreet.com. At Parson Street Primary School we believe it is vital that children understand the importance of attending school on time, every day. We rely on our parents to support us in this policy and ask that parents telephone the school on the �rst morning of absence using our dedicated attendance line 0117 903 0227. Our Parent Support Advisor and Education Welfare O�cer work with the school to promote higher levels of attendance. In order to improve attendance we carry out the following:

Weekly prizes for the best attending classes; Certi�cates for attendance in Attendance Awards Assembly three times per year; Surgeries for parents of children with poor attendance.

There are rare occasions when parents wish to take their children on a family holiday during term time. This is not encouraged. Authorisation is always at the Headteacher’s discretion and will never exceed ten days in a school year. Unauthorised absence for such holidays could lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued. Parents should be aware that the Headteacher will not authorise absence during assessment weeks and the preparation periods for these. Term and holiday dates are always published on the school website and periodically in newsletters.

CommunicationThe school aims to communicate regularly and clearly withparents and carers. The main means of communication areas follows:

Key information is accessible on our fantastic school website: www.parsonstreet.com Regular text messages and emails sent to parents; Fortnightly newsletters and other letters home; Parents’/Carers’ evenings in the Autumn and Spring; Annual Report and Open Afternoon each July; Consultation about major initiatives; Information about help that can be given to children at home; Swift response to enquiries by telephone, letter or email; Information displayed in classrooms and on noticeboards.

School UniformOur school policy is for children to wear school uniform. Parents send their children to Parson Street knowing that we are a fully-uniformed school. It is therefore expected that all parents will comply.

A change of clothing is required for Physical Education.Indoors: Black shorts and white tee-shirt.Outdoors: As above, plus gym shoes or trainers. A tracksuit may be worn in cold weather.Swimming: Swimming costume and towel in a waterproof bag.

Good BehaviourThe school operates a very positive and fair behaviour policy. We want the children in our school to develop the skills that will help them to LIVE and LEARN for life. We can achieve this aim when we work as a team - children, parents and sta� - to create the best environment for learning.

The majority of our children at Parson Street behave well. However, there may be occasions when a child behaves inappropriately. In these cases a series of ‘Steps’ are taken to ensure that children have the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions.

We aim, as a school, to produce a safe and secure environment where all can learn without anxiety. We attempt to support all children in their class by establishing a climate of trust and respect for all. By praising, rewarding and celebrating the success of all children, we aim to prevent incidents of bullying. Bullying is systematic action taken by one or more children with the deliberate intention of hurting another child, either physically or emotionally. As a school we do all we can to prevent it by developing a school ethos in which bullying is regarded as unacceptable.

The school uniform consists of plain red or black sweatshirts, red, white or black tee-shirts or polo shirts. Trousers or skirts should be black or grey and girls may wear red and white checked dresses.

The above items with our school crest, together with black tracksuit trousers, may be ordered from our school uniform provider – details are available from the o�ce or on the school website. They are also easily available in local stores.

Tee-shirts or sweatshirts with other pictures or logos are not acceptable.

We ask that parents send their children to school suitably dressed. Extremes of fashion in clothing, hairstyles or footwear are impractical and sometimes dangerous in school. Heeled or platform soled shoes are not permitted – shoes should be black and sensible.

Where children do not wear school uniform, this will be discussed with parents and the expectation is that the situation will be remedied quickly.

Children are not allowed to wear jewellery in school. Where children have pierced ears they must wear studs only. Hanging earrings are dangerous in school, often being accidentally caught in games. Nose studs and other piercings are not permitted.

We believe that children who are treated with respect will learn how to o�er that respect to others.

We believe that good behaviour has a positive e�ect on progress and learning.

We believe that we all have a responsibility to help children achieve a high level of positive behaviour. This canbe achieved through the development of constructive relationships between children, adults working in school,parents and other members of the wider school community.

We promote positive behaviour through our Golden Rules, Celebration Assemblies, Well Done Certi�cates,Golden Time, Ra�e Tickets, Team Points and much more!

The Relationship Between Home and SchoolA child’s education starts in the home and is continued as a partnership between home and school. So that this partnership will give every child the best possible chance of success, the partners should be clear about what each can reasonably expect of the others.

Responsibilities of the School1. To develop each individual pupil’s talents as fully as possible;2. To teach e�ectively and to set the highest standards in work and behaviour;3. To care for each child when at school as a good parent of a large family;4. To help pupils to leave school able and anxious to make the best possible contribution to the community at large;5. To encourage regular communication with parents as a basis for close co-operation between home and school.

Responsibilities of Pupils1. To attend school regularly, on time, ready to learn and take part in school activities and entertainments;2. To aim at the highest standards in all aspects of school life;3. To co-operate with the sta� and to accept the authority and rules of conduct of the school;4. To consider and respect the feelings and the property of other people both in school and in the wider community;5. To care for the grounds, buildings, furniture, equipment and books provided for the school.

We actively encourage parents and carers to get involved in the life of the school. We are always looking for help with reading, swimming and other activities. If you think you could help in any way, please contact the school o�ce.

Equal OpportunitiesThe Governors are committed to promoting equal opportunity in the school and the policy for equal opportunity is available upon request. This relates to issues of gender, race, disability and academic ability.

At some stage in their education, children may experience di�culties in one or more areas of the curriculum, or perhaps show signs of emotional or behavioural problems. Our Inclusion Leader will work with you and your child’s teacher to ensure that appropriate support is put into place. Our Special Needs and Inclusion Policy is available on the website and gives much more detail about this.

The school also recognises that there are children who are gifted or talented in one or more areas of the curriculum. The school aims to meet these needs through e�ective curriculum planning and delivery as well as special opportunities beyond the normal school day.

Responsibilities of Parents1. To show by their own example that they support the school in setting the highest standards in all it tries to do;2. To make sure that their children come to school regularly, on time, refreshed, alert, correctly dressed and ready to work;3. To take an active and supportive interest in their children’s work and progress;4. To support the authority and discipline of the school, helping the children to achieve maturity, self-discipline and self-control; 5. To control the development of their children’s use of leisure time and activities and entertainments.

The CurriculumOur Curriculum is relevant and engaging, ensuring that children can develop skills, knowledge and concepts in a systematic way. It is carefully di�erentiated so that what is taught is matched to aptitude, ability and achievement. We aim to provide an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities after school and during lunchtimes in order to help children develop a range of skills and talents.We have a full range of Educational Visits, including residential visits that are thoroughly enjoyed by the pupils and enhance the curriculum in really exciting ways. We rely on voluntary contributions from parents to make many of our visits happen. If �nancial hardship is a problem for any family, it may be possible to remit all or part of the cost of any activity. The Charging Policy is available for inspection at the school.

HomeworkLearning at home is an essential part of good education. Regular homework is important, since it gives pupils the opportunity to practise at home the tasks done in class, and helps them work towards improving important skills. It also encourages children to become con�dent and independent in their learning, which will help them throughout their time at school and in adult life. All children are expected to take part in a variety of homework tasks to enhance and support their work in class. The Homework Policy is available at www.parsonstreet.com and is circulated to parents periodically.

Child ProtectionSchool sta� have an important role to play in recognising and taking the appropriate action in cases of child protection issues. All school sta�, both teaching and non-teaching, are instructed to report any concerns to the Headteacher, who is required under the procedures to alert the Social Care team.

Health and SafetyChildren in need of medication must self-administer wherever possible. Obviously this will not always be possible, especially for younger children. Medication can only be administered in school when it is accompanied by a note from home and very clear instructions. This is only for prescribed medication. The school reserves the right to decline to administer any medication. If possible, medication should always be administered at home.

On such a busy road junction, road safety is a big concern. Children are asked to cross the road with our School Crossing Patrol or using the pedestrian crossings. We seek parental support in ensuring the children do not cross the busy roads away from these safe areas. There is no provision for parents’ cars in the o�cial school car parks. We urge parents who bring their children to school in cars to park away from the school site. The school is surrounded by no parking areas.

Friends of Parson StreetAll our parents are automatically members of the Friends of Parson Street Primary School. The association organises all sorts of events. The Friends work hard for the bene�t of the children and the money they have raised has paid for many ‘extras’ over the years. Parents are kept up-to-date with all the activities both by letter, and by posters around the school and on the noticeboard. The committee always needs more members and you will be made most welcome if you can spare a little time.

PropertyAll equipment and clothing must be clearly named. We are not able to take responsibility for personal items. Toys and articles of value must not be brought in unless requested. Mobile telephones must not be brought into school. Sweets and chewing gum are not permitted. Any such items will be removed and returned to the parents at an appropriate time.

Access To InformationThe school is bound by the Freedom of Information Act and has a Publication Scheme that is available upon request. Requests for documentation can be made at any time although in many cases there may be a charge for administration purposes. If you are in any doubt, please contact the school office and a response will be given as quickly as possible.

ComplaintsIn the unlikely event that a parent/carer wishes to make a complaint about any aspect of school life, they must follow the procedures laid down in the Complaints Policy. A copy of this is available through the school office. In the first instance, issues should be discussed with the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher so that a solution can be sought. Where the parent is still dissatisfied, complaints should be addressed to the Chair of Governors.

Pa

rson Street

Primary School

Parson Street Primary SchoolBedminster Road,Bristol BS3 5NRparsonstp@bristol.gov.ukTel. 0117 903 0226 www.parsonstreet.com

School photography and design www.colorfoto.co.uk