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SciennesPrimary

SchoolHandbook

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Session2019-2020

ThisHandbookcontainsarangeofinformationaboutyourchild’sschoolwhichwillbeofinteresttoyouandyourchild.Itoffersaninsightintothelifeandethosoftheschoolandalsooffersadviceandassistancewhichyoumayfindhelpfulinsupportingandgettinginvolvedinyourchild’seducation.

Wearecommittedtoworkingcloselywithparentsasequalpartnersinyourchild'seducation,inthelifeofyourchild'sschoolandincity-widedevelopmentsineducation.

Parentalinvolvementinthedecision-makingprocessandinperformancemonitoringisanintegralpartofschoollife.Welookforwardtodevelopingthatpartnershipwithyoursupport.

IampleasedyouaretakinganinterestinSciennesPrimarySchoolforsession2019-20andhopethatthisdocumentwillprovideyouwiththeinformationyouneedconcerningyourchild’sschool.IfyouhaveanyqueriesregardingthecontentspleasecontacttheHeadTeacherinthefirstinstancewhowillbehappytoofferanyclarificationyoumayneed.

AlistairGaw

ExecutiveDirectorofCommunitiesandFamilies,

TheCityofEdinburghCouncil

ChildrenandFamiliesVision

OurvisionisforallchildrenandyoungpeopleinEdinburghtoenjoytheirchildhoodandfulfiltheirpotential.

Webelievethatchildrenandyoungpeopledobestwhen:

• theyareabletolivesafelyandhappilywithintheirownfamilieswiththerightkindofsupportasneeded.

• theyattendfirstclass,inclusiveschoolsandearlyyearssettingswhichmeettheirneeds.

Wewilldoallwecantostrengthensupportforfamilies,schoolsandcommunitiestomeettheirchildren'sneeds.

Ourmissionistoplacechildren,youngpeopleandfamiliesattheheartofourserviceandprovidesupportwhenitisneededthroughoutchildhoodandthetransitiontoadulthood,

A Foreword from the Director of Communities and Families

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DearParent/Carer,

WelcometotheSciennesPrimarySchoolHandbook.Wehopetheinformationprovidedisuseful.

ThishandbookoffersanintroductiontoourschoolandageneraloverviewofeducationinCityofEdinburghandatSciennes.Theinformationiscorrectatthetimeofprintingbutthemostup-to-datehandbookwillbeavailableonourschoolwebsite.

Weverymuchhopetodevelopastrongpartnershipwithparentsandcarerstosupportyourchildfulfilhisorherpotential.Wetryveryhardtoinvolveyouasmuchaspossibleandhelpyoutosupportyourchild’slearning.

AlthoughSciennesisaverylargeprimaryschoolweendeavourtocreateasenseoffamily.Schoolstaffareapproachableandwillalwayswelcomeyourideasandsuggestions.

Pleasedonothesitatetocontactschoolifyouhaveaconcernoranissue.Weaimtocreateaveryhappy,safeandcaringenvironmentforourlearnersandlookforwardtoworkingeffectivelywithallfamiliestoservethebestinterestsofourchildren.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,orwouldlikeanyfurtherinformationonanyaspectofthishandbookortheeducationofyourchild,pleasedonothesitatetocontactme.

Tomakeourhandbookeasytouseithasbeendividedtheinformationintofivedifferentsections: SectionOne–PracticalInformationabouttheSchool

SectionTwo–ParentalInvolvementintheSchool

SectionThree–SchoolCurriculum

SectionFour–SupportforPupils

SectionFive–SchoolImprovement

AndrewMHunter

HeadTeacher,SciennesPrimarySchool

Welcome from the Head Teacher

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SECTIONONE–PRACTICALINFORMATIONABOUTTHESCHOOL

FOREWORDFROMDIRECTOROFEDUCATION .................................................................................................... 2

INTRODUCTIONFROMHEADTEACHER,SCIENNESPRIMARYSCHOOL ............................................................ 3

AGREEDTERMDATESFORSESSION2019-2020 ................................................................................................. 6

SECTIONONE:PRACTICALINFORMATIONABOUTTHESCHOOL ...................................................................... 7

SECTIONTWO:PARENTALINVOLVEMENTINTHESCHOOL ............................................................................ 15

SECTIONTHREE:SCHOOLCURRICULUM ............................................................................................................ 22

SECTIONFOUR:SUPPORTFORPUPILS ............................................................................................................... 26

SECTIONFIVE:SCHOOLIMPROVEMENT ............................................................................................................. 32 Websites ............................................................................................................................................................ 36

GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................................................... 36 TELLUSWHATYOUTHINK ........................................................................................................................................ 37

Contents

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ContactDetails

NameofHeadTeacherAndrewMHunter

NameofSchoolSciennesPrimary

Address10SciennesRoad,EdinburghEH93AH

TelephoneNumber01316671243

Websitehttp://www.sciennes.edin.sch.uk

E-mailAddressadmin@sciennes.edin.sch.uk

Abouttheschool

StagesofEducationprovidedforPrimary1to7

PresentRoll665

DenominationalStatusoftheSchool(ifany)Non-denominational

OrganisationoftheSchoolDay

StartTimeP1-P78.50am

MorningBreakP1-210.20-10.40,P310.25-10.40,P4-710.50-11.05

LunchTimeP1-212.05-12.50,P3-712.35-1.20

FinishTimeP1-214.50,P3-715.20

FinishTimeonFridaysP1-P712.05pm

Gymdaysforpupilswillbefixedatthebeginningofeachterm

Assemblydaysfor1-3pupilsMondaysandforP4-7Fridays

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AgreedTermDatesforSession2019-2020

Datesforholidaysareinclusiveso,forexampleiftheholidayisfrom16to23October,pupilswouldreturnonthe24th.

AutumnTermstartsWednesday14August2019Mid-termholidays

• Monday16September2019,autumnholiday• Monday14toTuesday22October2019,midtermbreak

TermendsFriday20December2019.Christmasholidays

• Monday23December2019toWednesday8January2020

SpringTermstartsThursday9January2020Midtermholidays

• Monday10toFriday14February2020,midtermbreak

TermendsFriday3April2020Easterholidays

• Monday6toMonday20April2020

SummerTermstartsTuesday21April2020Midtermholidays

• Monday4May2020,staffonlyday• Friday8May2020,Mayholiday• Monday18May2020,VictoriaDay

TermendsFriday26June2020.P7/S1TransitionDays-Tuesday16June,Wednesday17JuneandThursday18June2020.DiaryDatesandTermDatescanalsobeaccessedviahttps://sciennesprimaryschool.com

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Thissectiondealswiththepracticalaspectsofyourchild’sattendanceatourschool.Itprovidesdetailsonsuchthingsas:

• travellingtoandfromschool• schoolmealsandmilk• financialassistancewithschoolclothing,transportandschoolmeals• schoolclosuresinanemergencyorunexpectedlyforanyreason• generalsupervisionavailableforyourchildinthemorningandatlunchtime• wetweatherdetails• howtheschoolcommunicateswithparents• howtocomplainifyouarenothappyaboutsomething.

CommunicatingwiththeSchool

Thissectionprovidesyouwithsomebackgroundinformationonourschool.Ittellsyouhowourschooldayandschoolyeararemadeupandhowtocontacttheschoolif,forexample,yourchildisill.

RegistrationandEnrolmentThedateforregistrationofnewschoolentrantsisadvertised[inalllocalnurseries]inthelocalpressandonthecouncil’swebsitewww.edinburgh.gov.uk.RegistrationforPrimaryOneandFirstYearSecondarytakesplaceinNovembereachyear.Pupilsshouldberegisteredinonlyoneschoolfortheircatchmentarea.Parentswillbeprovidedwithinformationabouttheschool,whentheyregistertheirchild.

Parentswhowanttosendtheirchildtoaschoolotherthanthecatchmentschoolmustmakeaplacingrequest.Pleaserefertosectionfourofthishandbookformoreinformationonplacingrequests.

Parentsofpupilswhohavemovedintothecatchmentareaor,whowishtheirchildtotransfertotheschool,shouldcontacttheschoolofficeforinformation.

Furtherinformationin‘SchoolPlace’ontheschoolwebsite.

AttendanceandAbsenceItistheresponsibilityofparentsofachildofschoolagetomakesurethattheirchildiseducated.

Absencefromschoolisrecordedasauthorised,thatisapprovedbytheChildrenandFamiliesDepartment,orasunauthorised,thatisunexplainedbytheparent(truancy).

Section One – Practical Information about the School

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Pleaselettheschoolofficeknowbyletterorphoneifyourchildislikelytobeabsentforsometime,andgiveyourchildanoteonhisorherreturntoschool,confirmingthereasonforabsence.Ifthereisnoexplanationfromachild’sparents,theabsencewillberegardedasunauthorised.

Itisimportantforyourchildtoattendschoolregularly.Iftheyareunabletoattendduetoillness,orforanyotherreason,pleasetelephonetheschoolonthefirstdayofabsencebetween8amand9am.Pleaseleaveamessageontheanswerphoneifthereisno-onetotakeyourcall.Ifatelephonecallhasnotbeenreceived,ourabsencealertsystemwillcalltomakesurethatyourchildissafe.Ifthechildhasadentistordoctor’sappointment,pleaseinformtheschoolbywritingashortnotetotheclassteacher.

Parentsshouldbeawarethatpersistentlatenessisverydisruptivetothechild’slearningandtotherestoftheclass.Parentsshouldensurethattheirchildisdeliveredandcollectedontime.Schoolbeginsat8.50amandanoteoflateness,aswellasabsence,isrecordedintheclassregister.

Pleasemakeeveryefforttoavoidfamilyholidaysduringtermtimeasthiswilldisruptyourchild’seducationandreduceslearningtime.TheHeadTeachercanapproveabsencefromschoolforafamilyholidayincertainextremesituations,forexample,intraumaticdomesticcircumstanceswheretheholidaywouldimprovethecohesionandwellbeingofthefamily.PleasediscussyourplanswithMrHunterinwriting,beforetheholiday.Ifpermissioncannotbegivenbeforetheholiday,itwillberecordedasunauthorisedabsence.AholidaycanbeauthorisedbytheHeadTeacherifyoucanprovethatworkcommitmentsmakeafamilyholidayimpossibleduringschoolholidaytimes.Normally,youremployerwillneedtoprovideevidenceofyourworkcommitments.Absenceapprovedonthisbasisisregardedasauthorisedabsence.

AnyrequestsforextendedabsenceovertwoweekswillbereferredtotheSeniorEducationManager:Inclusionwhowilldecideifitwillberecordedasauthorisedorunauthorisedleave.

Parentsfromminorityethnicreligiouscommunitiesmayrequestthattheirchildrenbepermittedtobeabsentfromschooltocelebraterecognisedreligiousevents.Absenceapprovedonthisbasisisregardedasauthorisedabsence.Extendedleavecanalsobegrantedonrequestforfamiliesreturningtotheircountryoforiginforculturalorcarereasons.

Asupportiveapproachistakentounexplainedabsence.However,theChildrenandFamiliesDepartmenthaslegalpowerstowriteto,intervieworprosecuteparents,orreferpupilstotheReportertotheChildren’sPanel,ifnecessary.

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SchoolUniformParentsareaskedtosupporttheschoolinencouragingthewearingoftheschooluniform.

Weaskforparents’co-operationinensuringthatthechildrenweartheiruniformeveryday.Asa1in5ChildPovertyAwarenessschool,weholdregularnearlynewuniformsalesandcanassistwithapplicationstoaccessfunding.OurParentCouncilsellsschoolbadgesonParentPaywhichcanbeironedontoanysupermarketordepartmentstorenavysweatshirtorcardigan.

Theschooltiecanbewornwithawhiteshirtonmoreformaloccasionsandwhenthechildrenareoutofthebuildingrepresentingtheschool,suchasperformingintheSchoolOrchestraorduringtheannualP7performanceattheJamesGillespie’sChristmasConcertattheUsherHall.Wehaveasmallstockoftiesandwhiteshirtswhichwecanlend.

Traditionaloutfits,suchasShalwarKameez,canalsobewornintheschool’scolours.

TheP7pupilshavetheirownroyalbluesweatshirt.OurParentCouncilalsoorganisespurchasethesaleofpersonalised‘P7hoodies’intheAutumnterm.

Wearingschooluniformcontributestoapositiveschoolethos,helpsavoiddiscriminationandreducespeerpressuretowearexpensivedesignerclothing.

Afullrangeofschooluniformisavailabletopurchaseonlineviaourschoolwebsite.

Ourschool’sreputationcanbeenhancedinthelocalcommunitybythewearingofschooluniformandschoolsecurityimproved.

AppropriateclothingandfootwearforPhysicalEducation(P.E.)isachangeofclothesinaP.E.bag:T-shirt,shortsandgymshoeswithnon-markingsoles.Thesearenecessaryforhealthandsafetyreasonsandyourco-operationisrequestedtoensurethatpupilsareequippedtoparticipateintheP.E.lessons.Schoolwillaimtooffersupportwiththeseitemsonrequest.

Pleaseensurethatallitemsofclothingareclearlylabelled,particularlyties,sweatshirtsandP.E.equipmentwhichareoftenlost.

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Pleasehelpusbyensuringthatpupilsdonotbringvaluableorexpensiveitemsofclothingtoschool.

Ifyouhaveanyqueriesregardingtheschool’sdresscode,pleasecontacttheSchoolOfficeorseeourwebsiteforfurtherinformation.

FootwearandClothingGrantsLow income families can get a school clothing grant to help towards buying school clothes for their children. Informationonfreeschoolmeals,milkandclothinggrantsisavailableonthewww.edinburgh.gov.ukwebsite.ApplicationsforfreeschoolmealsandclothinggrantscanbemadebycontactingGrants,AwardsandPlacements,BusinessCentre1:1WaverleyCourt,4EastMarketStreet,Edinburgh,EH88BG.Tel01314693471oremailschool.grants@edinburgh.gov.ukhttps://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/food-clothing/free-school-meals-school-clothing-grants

SchoolMealsMenusofferhealthyandtastymealoptionswhilereflectingtheScottishGovernmentfoodanddrinklegalrequirementsforschoollunches.Specialdietsandallergiesareusuallyaccommodatedsubjecttoconsultationwithparent/guardianandcateringservices.

Mealpricesarereviewedannually.PleasecontacttheSchooltobeadvisedofthecurrentprice.

AtwocoursehotlunchisofferedfromMondaytoThursdayandtheoptionofacoldpackedlunchisavailableonFridays.Thereisavegetarianchoiceeachday.Arrangementsareinplaceforpupilswhoprefertobringtheirownpackedlunch.Alllitteranduneatenfoodistakenhomeinthelunchboxes.Orderingandpayingforlunchesisdonethroughouron-linepaymentsystemParentPay.Lunchesmustbeorderedaweekinadvanceandordersforthewholetermarepossible.Whenyourchild/childrenjointheschoolyouwillbeissuedwithausernameandpasswordtoaccessyourSciennesParentPayaccount.

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FreeSchoolMealsSomefamiliesmaybeeligibleforfreeschoolmeals.ApplicationformsareavailablefromtheSchoolOffice.Theformshavetobecompletedbytheparentalongwithsupportingdocumentationasdetailedontheapplicationform.Anapplicationisrequiredforeveryschoolsession.

Freeschoolmealsareprovidedtothosewhoareentitledtothem,however,thesemustalsobeorderedthroughouronlineParentPaysystem.

TraveltoandfromSchoolSciennesisaLivingStreetsschool.Parentsarerequestedtoobservetheroadclosuresignageduringdropoff/collecttimesatthestartandendofeachschoolday.Pleasedonotparkinanylocationwhichwillcauseanobstructionandtakecarenottorestricttheviewofthechildrencrossinginsurroundingstreets.

TransportforPrimaryandSecondarySchoolChildren(ExcludingPlacingRequests)–SciennesisaCycleFriendlySchoolandencouragesactivetraveltoandfromschool.

GeneralSupervision

Beforeschoolbeginssupervisionisverylimited,thereforepupilsshouldnotarriveatschooluntilasneartotheschoolstarttimeaspossible.SciennesAfterSchoolCareScheme(SASCS)operatesaBreakfastClubfrom7.45amto8.50amMondaytoFriday.

Duringbreakandlunch,playgroundsupervisorssupervisethechildren.Amemberofthemanagementteamisalsoondutyeachday.

SchoolSecurityThesafetyandsecurityofpupilsandstaffwhenattendingorworkinginaschoolisveryimportanttous.Weuseanumberofsecuritymeasuresincludingavisitors’book,badgesandescorts,whilevisitorsarewithintheschoolbuilding.Normally,anyonecallingataschoolforanyreasonwillbeaskedtoreporttotheSchoolOffice.Theschoolstaffthencanmakethenecessaryarrangementsforthevisit.

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WetWeatherArrangementsInverywetweatherpupilsremaininschoolduringmorningandlunchbreaks.However,assupervisionduringtheseperiodsislimited,itisespeciallyimportantthattheyexercisegoodbehaviour.

UnexpectedClosuresIntheeventofanemergency,suchasapowercutorsevereweather,thatpreventsschoolsfromopeninginthemorningorresultsinanearlyclosurearangeofcommunicationschannelsareusedtoletparentsknow.

Scienneshasanemailsystemwhichisusedforallcommunicationaswellastextforemergencies.Itisvitalthatyouremailandmobilenumbersarekeptuptodatesopleaseinformtheschoolofanychanges.SciennesisalsoonTwitteratSciennesPSandFacebookatSciennesPS.

Inaddition,announcementswillbemadeonRadioForth(Forth1andForth2)andviatheCouncil'scorporateTwitteraccountwww.twitter.com/Edinburgh_CCandFacebookpagewww.facebook.com/edinburghcouncil.Ifmanyschoolsareaffected,orthesituationislikelytobeprolonged,thentheCouncil'swebsitewww.edinburgh.gov.ukwillalsobeused.

Mobilephones-Councilpolicycanbefoundonourschoolwebsite.Mobilephonesshouldbeswitchedoffduringschoolhours.ParentsrequiringtocontacttheirchildduringtheschooldayshouldcontacttheSchoolOffice.

Equality

CouncilhaspublishedanEqualityScheme,whichcanbeviewedonthecouncil’swebsite.ThisoutlinesthedutieswhichtheCouncilisrequiredtoundertaketotacklediscrimination,preventharassmentandensureourworkpromotesequality.TheCounciliscommittedtoeliminatingdiscriminationonthegroundsofrace,gender,disability,sexualorientation,religion/belief,age,marriageorcivilpartnership,transgenderstatusorpregnancy/maternity.

EnglishasanAdditionalLanguage

TheChildren&FamiliesDepartmentprovidesasupportserviceofteachersofEnglishasanadditionallanguage.TheteachersvisitschoolstoworkwiththosebilingualpupilswhorequireassistanceindevelopingEnglishlanguageskills.

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Complaints,CommentsandSuggestionsProcedure–

Weallhopethatyouwillbecompletelysatisfiedaboutyourchild'seducationandweencouragefeedbackonourservicesfromparentsandpupils.Weare,therefore,interestedinfeedbackofallkinds,whetheritbecompliments,suggestionsorcomplaints.

Ifyouwanttoregisteracommentofanytypeaboutourschoolyoucandothisbywriting,e-mailing,telephoningormakinganappointmenttoseesomeone.Allfeedbackiswelcomeandkeepsusintouch.

If,inparticular,youhaveacomplaintabouttheschool,pleaseletusknow.Itisbetterthatthesethingsaresharedopenlyandresolvedfairly,ratherthanbeingallowedtodamagetherelationshipbetweenthefamilyandtheschool.Therewillbenonegativeconsequencesarisingfrommakingacomplaintandwewilldealwiththeissueasconfidentiallyaspossible.

Therearesomethingswhichyoushouldtakenoteofinrelationtomakingacomplaint:

• PleasemakeanycomplaintsinitiallytotheHeadteacher.Thismakessurethattheschoolknowswhatisgoingonandhasanopportunitytorespondandresolvetheissue.

• Wewilltrytorespondasquicklyaspossible,butoftenissuesarecomplexandweneedtimetoinvestigate.

• IfyouarestillunhappywiththeserviceorwithourresponsethenyouwillhavetherighttotakethematterfurtherandcontactAdviceandConciliation[01314693233]

• IfyouarestillunhappyafterthefurtherinvestigationandreplyyoucantakethematterupwiththeScottishPublicServicesOmbudsman,ourreplywillincludethecontactdetails.

HealthandSafety"WithinthegeneralpolicylaiddownbyTheCityofEdinburghCouncil,theCommunities&FamiliesDepartmenthaspreparedandhascontinuingdevelopmentof,safetypolicystatementsforallareasofitsresponsibilityinaccordancewiththeHealthandSafetyatWorkAct1974.Schoolstaffarefullyinstructedintheirresponsibilitiesinthisrespect,andsafetyregulationsapplytoallaspectsofschoollife,bothonandoffthepremises.Itisexpectedthatpupilswillbehaveresponsiblyandcomplywithallsafetyrequirements.Thesupportofparents/carersinpromotinggoodpracticeinhealthandsafetymattersisofgreatimportancetotheschool".

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SchoolHealthService

AteamofspecialistHealthServiceandCommunitiesandFamiliesDepartmentstaffworktogethertoprovideaservicethroughoutyourchild’syearsatprimaryandsecondaryschool.Aplannedprogrammeisputintoplacetomakesurethattheybenefitasmuchaspossiblefromallthatschoolhastooffer,andtohelpprepareforlifeafterleavingschool.TheSchoolHealthServiceispartoftheCommunityChildHealthServiceandhasdirectlinkswiththosewhocarryouthealthchecksonchildrenbeforetheystartschool.

Manydifferentservicesareprovided.Thestaffinvolvedmakeeveryefforttoworkcloselywithparents/carersandwithotherswhoarecaringforyourchild,bothatschoolandinotherbranchesoftheHealthService.Someoftheservices,e.g.testingforvision,hearingorspeech,areprovidedtoallchildrenonaroutinebasistodiscoverwhichchildrenmayneedfurthertests.Parents/carersarenotnecessarilynotifiedatthetimeofthesescreeningtestsandanyparentwhodoesnotwantachildtobeincludedshouldnotifytheschoolatthebeginningofthesession.Naturally,iftreatmentisthoughttoberequired,thechild’sparents/carerswillbeinformedandconsentrequested.TheissueofmaintainingconfidentialityistakenseriouslybytheSchoolHealthTeamatalltimes.Someofthestaffconcernedandthepartstheyplayareasfollows:SchoolNurseisinvolvedwithhealthpromotionandeducation,preventionofillhealth,immunisation,healthsurveillanceandscreening.TheSchoolNurseismadeawareofanypossibleproblemsandparents/carersareinformedifanyfurtheractionisconsiderednecessary.TheSchoolNurseishelpedbyaHealthAssistant.TheSchoolNurseactsasanimportantlinkbetweenhomeandschool.Shevisitstheschoolandliaiseswiththeteacherstofindoutwhetheranypupilhasahealthneedthatrequirestobeaddressed.TheSchoolNursecanlinkwithothermembersofthehealthteam,inthecommunityorinhospital,concernedwithachild’shealth.TheSchoolNursereviewsthenotesofallchildreninPrimary1,4,7andSenior3aswellasthoseofallnewentrants.AninformationbookletabouttheSchoolHealthServiceisissuedtoallPrimary1pupilsandanynewpupilscomingfromoutwiththeEdinburgharea.Parents/carersarealsoaskedtocompleteahealthquestionnaireabouttheirchildatPrimary1,7andSenior3.The School Nurse may ask for your consent to examine your child if his/her medicalrecordsareincompleteorifsheparticularlywishestocheckonhis/herprogress.YouwillbeinvitedtobepresentatanymedicalexaminationandkeptinformediftheSchoolNursewishestoseeyourchildagain,orthinksthathe/sheshouldbeseenbythefamilydoctoror a specialist in paediatrics. You can, if you wish, arrange for your family doctor toundertaketheexaminationsinsteadoftheSchoolNurse,butyoumaybechargedafeeforthis. In secondary schools the School Doctor/Nursemay considerwhether any specialinformationshouldbeprovidedfortheCareersService.

TheSchoolNursewillbepleasedtoseeyouandyourchildatamutuallyconvenienttimeifyouareconcernedabouthis/herhealthorgeneralprogressatschool.

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Withyourconsent,theSchoolHealthServiceStaffalsocarryoutimmunisationstoprotectagainstvariousdiseases.The Audiometric Team normally checks children’s hearing on a number of occasionsbeforetheageof13/14years.TheSchoolHealthTeamwillbetoldifyourchildseemstohaveahearingproblemandtheywillinformparents/carersandGPsasnecessary.TheSpeechandLanguageTherapistcanprovideassessmentand,ifnecessary,treatmentifyou,ateacherortheSchoolNursefeelsthatyourchildmayhaveaspeechorlanguageproblem.Anyenquiriesconcerningtheprovisionofdentalservicesshouldbemadeto:TheDirectoroftheCommunityDentalService,16DuncanStreet,Edinburgh,EH91SR(Tel.0131667-7114).WehopethattheSchoolHealthServicecan,togetherwithyourselves,contributetoyourchild’soverallwell-beinganddevelopment.PleasedonothesitatetoarrangethroughtheHeadTeachertoseetheSchoolNurseshouldyourequireanyfurtherinformation".MedicineAdministrationWhenyouenrolyourchild,pleaseensurethatyouinformtheschoolofanymedicalconditionsyourchildmayhave.Itisvitalthatyouprovideatelephonenumberwhereyoucanbecontactedduringtheday,incaseofemergencies.Twoothercontactnumbersshouldalsobeprovided.Theschoolwillcontactyouifyourchildisillorisgoingtohospitalbecauseofanaccident.

Staffarepermittedtoadministermedicinetopupilsonlyifwrittenpermissionhasbeengivendetailingthequantity,frequencyandmethodofadministration.AstandardformforsuchinformationisavailablefromtheSchoolOffice.Relevantformsareavailableonourschoolwebsiteathttps://sciennesprimaryschool.com.ChildrenrequiringmedicationwhilstonanoutdoorexperiencetripmustfillinaseparateKICMedicalform.

Ifachildisillduringthedaywewillcontactparent/careroremergencycontactsothatthechildcanbetakenhome.Thechildwilleitherremainwithamemberofstafforreturntoclassuntiltheemergencycontactarrives.SeniorStaffmaymakethedecisiontotakethechildtotheRoyalHospitalforSickChildrenshouldthisbefelttobeappropriate.

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GaelicEducation

Gaelic-mediumeducation,wherepupilsaretaughttheentirecurriculumthroughthemediumofGaelic,isavailableatnurseryandprimarylevels.ThereareGaelicparentandtoddlergroupsandplaygroupsacrossthecity.

Edinburgh’sfirstdedicatedGaelicnurseryandprimaryschool,Bun-sgoilTaobhnaPáirce(ParkView),openedintheformerBonningtonPrimarySchoolBuildingin2013.PupilsattendingtheschooldonotneedtohavepriorknowledgeofGaelic.IfyouwishyourchildtoattendtheGaelicSchool,youshouldregisterthemthere.PupilswhowishtostudyGaelicatsecondarylevelcantransfertoJamesGillespie’sHighSchoolwhichoffersStandardGradeandHighercourses.

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Parentalinvolvementisveryimportantasweknowithelpschildrendobetterinschool.

Thissectioncontainsinformationabouthowparentscanbeinvolvedinsupportinglearningathomeaspartofahome–schoolpartnership.

Youcanalsofindoutmoreabouttheethosofourschool,whatourvaluesareandouraspirationsforourpupilsincludinghowwecelebratepupilsuccessandlinkswehavewithpartnerorganisationsandthewiderlocal,nationalandinternationalcommunity.

Lastly,itincludesinformationonourParentCouncil/ParentTeacherAssociation;howtocontactthemandhowparentscangetinvolvedinthelifeandworkoftheschool.

Ethos:At Sciennes, we BELIEVE together we will ACHIEVE

VALUES: We BELIEVE in

• RESPECT: appreciating one another with fairness, honesty and acceptance. • INCLUSION: valuing diversity and making sure everyone feels welcome. • TEAMWORK: collaborating in our school community and beyond. • EFFORT: determined to be the best we can be.

AIMS: We aim for all learners to ACHIEVE by becoming:

Successful learners with

• enthusiasm and motivation for learning • determination to reach high standards of achievement • openness to new thinking and ideas

Confident individuals with

• self respect • a sense of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing • secure values and beliefs

Responsible citizens with

• respect for others • commitment to participate responsibly in political, economic, social and cultural life

Effective contributors with

• an enterprising attitude • resilience • self-reliance

SectionTwo–ParentalInvolvementintheSchool

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Values:Respect,Inclusion,Teamwork,Effort

Wearecommittedtosupportingthedevelopmentofthewholepupilandasaresult,wishtoencouragetheirdevelopmentinspiritual,moral,socialandculturalterms.

Thesekeyhumanaspectsoflearningaresupportedthroughthefollowingarrangementsby:

• Creatingaschoolethoswhich,ineverywaypossible,givesvaluetotheseaspectsofdevelopment,especiallybyprovidinganoverallatmospherethatisbothcaringand challenging and which provides opportunities for the development ofpersonalresponsibility.

• Promoting social and moral learning through the way in which disciplinaryissuesarehandled.

• Ensuring that staff and adults within the school provide positive models forpupils.

• Arranging regular gatherings of the school as a community and using suchoccasionstoencourageandreinforcethevaluesonwhichtheschoolisbased.

• Enrichingthecurriculuminallappropriateareaswithanemphasisonspiritual,moral,socialandculturaldevelopment.

• Providingopportunitieswithin the curriculum toadvancepersonal and socialdevelopment.

• Providing a programmeof religious education inwhich considerationwill begiventoresponsestobasicquestionsrelatingtothemeaning,valueandpurposeofhumanlife.

• Providingaprogrammeofmoraleducation.

• Takingeveryappropriateopportunitytoacknowledge,valueandappreciatethevariousculturesandheritageofthepupilsandtoencouragethemtoappreciateandvaluetheculturesandheritageofothers.

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PromotingPositiveBehaviourWewishtoencourageapartnershipwithyoutoensurethebestpossiblestandardsofpupilbehaviour.

Weaimtoprovideasafeandhappyenvironmentwherestaffandpupilscanworkwellandproductivelytogether.AtSciennesSchoolweoperateaPositiveBehaviourpolicywhichwascreatedinconsultationwithstaff,pupilsandparents.Ifyourchildismisbehavingregularly,wewillcontactyouandaskyoutoworkwithustofindajointsolution.Exclusionfromschoolwillonlybeconsideredforthemostseriousoffences.

Anti-BullyingPolicy

BullyingandprejudicearenottoleratedatSciennesPrimarySchool.TheschoolhasanAnti-Bullyingpolicywhichwaswrittenbystaff,pupilsandparents.Itsetsoutthevaluesandbeliefsoftheschool.Anti-bullyingstrategiesincludeCircleTimeinclass,campaignweeksandpeermediation.

Theprinciplemessagesthatallpupilsareencouragedtoadoptaretotellsomeoneiftheyarebeingbulliedandtoletanadultknowiftheyknowofsomeonewhoisbeingbullied.Onlybylettingsomeoneknowabouttheproblemcanitbediscussedandasolutionreached.

ParentsWelcome

Wewelcomeparentalinvolvementasresearchhasshownthatwhenparentsareinvolvedchildrendobetterinschool.

Wegreatlyvalueandencourageourpartnershipwithparents.ParentConsultationsareheldtwiceayeartodiscussprogressandnextstepsinaspectsoflearningandthecurriculum.ClassteachersissueatermlynewsletterandregularinformationisconveyedwithweeklyHomeLearning.

Parentsarehighlyvaluedasvolunteerstoassistinclass,supportinglearningandhelpingonexcursions.

Weshareinformationinavarietyofways,including;schoolwebsite,email,newsletters,socialmedia,noticeboardandpupilpost.Shouldyourequirefurtherinformation,pleasecontacttheSchoolOffice.Wearealwayseagertohelpandsupport.

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ParentalConsultationWeofferopportunitiesforyoutodiscussyourchild'sprogresswithteachersthrougharrangedmeetings.Youwillbeadvisedwhenthesemeetingstakeplace.Overandabovethesesetmeetings,parentsarewelcometocontacttheschoolatanytimetoaskforinformationorforanappointment.Pleaseseesectiontwoofthishandbookformoredetailsonhome/schoolpartnership.

ParentalInvolvement

Inadditiontowelcomingparenthelpersandprovidinginformationonhowparentscansupporttheirchild’slearning,weregularlyseekandrespondtoparentviews.WiththesupportofSciennesParentCouncilCommunicationsgroup,weanalyseresponsesfromtheCityofEdinburghParentSurveyandidentifyareasforfurtherschoolimprovement.ParentCouncilsParentCouncilsaretheformalrepresentativebodyforparents/carerswithchildrenattendingschool.Sciennes’ParentCouncilsupportstheschoolinpartnershiptomeettheneedsofparents/carerslocally.(SeeSciennesParentCouncilwebsite.)

Parentsarewelcomedtobe:

• involvedwiththeirchild’seducationandlearning;

• beactiveparticipantsinthelifeoftheschool;and

• expresstheirviewsonschooleducationgenerallyandworkinpartnershipwiththeirchildren'sschools.

Allparents/carersareautomaticallymembersoftheParentForumattheirchild’sschool.AsamemberoftheParentForumallparentscanexpectto–

• receiveinformationabouttheschoolanditsactivities;

• hearaboutwhatpartnershipwithparentsmeansinourschool;

• beinvitedtobeinvolvedinwaysandtimesthatsuityou;

• identifyissuesyouwanttheParentCouncil,toworkonwiththeschool;

• beaskedyouropinionbytheParentCouncilonissuesrelatingtotheschoolandtheeducationitprovides;

• workinpartnershipwithstaff;and

• enjoytakingpartinthelifeoftheschoolinwhateverwaypossible.

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TheParentForumdecideshowtheirrepresentativesontheParentCouncilarechosenandhowtheParentCounciloperates.Parents/carersareencouragedtovolunteerorputthemselvesforwardtobechosenasrepresentativesoftheParentCounciliftheywish.

ThemainaimsoftheParentCouncilare:

• Tosupporttheschoolinitsworkwithpupils• Torepresenttheviewsofparents• Topromotecontactbetweentheschool,parents,pupilsandthecommunity• ToreporttotheParentForum• Tobeinvolvedintheappointmentofseniorpromotedstaff.• Toraisefundsfortheschoolforthebenefitofpupils.(InSciennes,thePTA(asa

subgroupoftheParentCouncil,fulfilsthisrole).

L-JStewart-ParentCouncilChair2019/20

Contactemailsciennesparentcouncil@gmail.com

Formoreinformationonparentalinvolvementortofindoutaboutparentsaspartnersintheirchildren’slearning,pleasecontacttheschoolorvisittheParentzonewebsiteatwww.parentzonescotland.gov.uk.

ParentTeacherAssociation(PTA)

ThePTAisasubgroupoftheParentCouncilandismainlyresponsibleforarrangingeventsforparentsandraisingfundsfortheschool.Volunteersarewelcome-pleasecontactthePTAifyouwanttojoinin.

FranArmour-PTAChair2019/20Contactemailscienneseventsfundraising@gmail.com

TheScottishParentTeacherCouncilisthenationalorganisationforPTAsinScotland.ParentCouncilscanjointoo,anditrunsanindependenthelplineserviceforallparents.TheNationalParentForumofScotlandhasbeensetuptogiveParentCouncilsandparentsanopportunitytodiscussandraiseeducationalissuesofmutualinterestorconcernsatanationallevel.

PupilLeadership

SciennesPrimarySchoolhasaP7JuniorLeadershipTeamandPupilImprovementGroupslinkedtoSchoolImprovements.TheviewsofallourpupilsareimportanttousandwehighlyvaluePupilParticipation,facilitatingarangeofgroupsandcommittees,Meetingsareheldregularlyandmembersensuretheyrepresenttheviewsoftheirclass.

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Thissectiondescribeshowthecurriculumisplannedanddeliveredinourschoolincludingtherangeofsubjectsandsubjectareasyourchildwillbelearning.Italsoincludesinformationonhowpupilsdevelopskillsforlearning,lifeandwork,includingLiteracy,NumeracyandHealthandWellbeinginandoutoftheclassroom.

Aswellasgivingyouinformationaboutthestatutorycurriculumrequirements,wehaveincludeddetailsonsportsandoutdooractivitiesavailabletopupilsandtherangeoffacilitiesavailablewithintheschool.

Details of how parents will be informed about sensitive aspects of learning e.g.relationships, sexualhealth,parenthoodanddrugsawarenessare includedaswell asinformationaboutreligious instructionandobservanceandarrangements forparentswhowishtoexercisetheirrighttowithdrawtheirchild

CurriculumforExcellence

Bringinglearningtolifeandlifetolearning.

CurriculumforExcellenceinScotlandforall3-18yearoldsaimstoraisestandards,prepareourchildrenforafuturetheydonotyetknowandequipthemforjobsoftomorrowinafastchangingworld.

Teachersandpractitionerswillshareinformationtothroughoutyourchild’s‘learningjourney’from3-18,helpingtheirprogressionfromnurserytoprimary,primarytosecondaryandbeyond,ensuringeachtransitionissmooth.Theywillensurechildrencontinuetoworkatapacetheycancopewithandwithchallengetheycanthriveon.

CurriculumforExcellenceBalancestheImportanceofKnowledgeandSkills.

Everychildisentitledtoabroadanddeepgeneraleducation,whatevertheirlevelandability.EverysingleteacherandpractitionerisresponsibleforthedevelopmentofLiteracyandNumeracyfromEarlyLevelthroughtoSeniorPhase.

Itdevelopsskillsforlearning,lifeandwork,bringingreallifeintotheclassroom,makinglearningrelevantandhelpingyoungpeopleapplylessonstotheirlifebeyondtheclassroom.Itlinksknowledgeinonesubjectareatoanotherhelpingmakeconnectionsintheirlearning.Itdevelopsskillswhichcanenablechildrentothinkforthemselves,makesoundjudgements,challenge,enquireandfindsolutions.

Newwaysofassessingandmonitoringprogressandensuringchildrenachievetheirpotentialhavebeenintroduced,includingtheScottishNationalStandardisedAssessments(SNSAs)forP1,P4andP7pupils.

SectionThree–SchoolCurriculum

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Thereisanentitlementtopersonalsupporttohelpyoungpeoplefulfiltheirpotentialandmakethemostoftheiropportunitieswithadditionalsupportwhereverthatisneeded.Thereisanemphasisbyallstaffonlookingafterourchildren’shealthandwellbeing–toensurethattheschoolisaplacewherechildrenfeelsafeandsecure.

Ultimately,CurriculumforExcellenceaimstoimproveourchildren’slifechances,tonurturesuccessfullearners,confidentindividuals,effectivecontributors,andresponsiblecitizens,buildingonScotland’sreputationforgreateducation.

ThroughCurriculumforExcellence,weprovidelearningopportunitieswhichensure:challengeandenjoyment,breadth,progression,depth,personalisationandchoice,coherenceandrelevance.Weplanlearningandteachingwithourpupilsandsetlearninginaninterdisciplinarycontext.Wecelebrateourpupils’successesandachievementsinanumberofways,including;stickers,certificates,achievementbooks,displays,newsletters,Assembliesandonourwebsite.Wearebuildingourcurriculumtoreflecttheoutcomesandexperiencesin:LiteracyandEnglish,NumeracyandMathematics,HealthandWellbeing,ReligiousandMoralEducation,SocialStudies,Science,ExpressiveArts,ModernLanguagesandTechnologies.PleasetakealookatourschoolwebsiteorcontacttheHeadteacherifyouwouldlikeanyfurtherinformationaboutthecurriculumwithinourschool.

ActiveLearningCurriculumforExcellenceemphasisesthevalueofanactivelearningapproach.IntheEarlyYears,childrenhavearangeoflearningexperiencesthatincludeplannedandpurposefulplayandstimulatinglearningwhichengagesandchallengeschildren’sthinkingusingreallifeandimaginarysituations.Aschildrenprogressthroughschooltheycontinuetobeinvolvedinactivelearningexperienceswhichareengagingandgivethemownershipoftheirownlearning.

PlanningChildren’sandYoungPeople’sLearningTeachersinnursery,primaryandsecondaryschoolssharetheirlearningintentionswithpupils,parentsandcarers.Thistakesplaceonaday-to-daybasis,byagreeingtheaimsofanindividualpieceofwork.Longer-termplanningalsotakesplaceinavarietyofforms.

Classteachersandpupilsdiscussandplanlearningtogether.Pupilsaregivenchoicesinwhatandhowtheylearn.Parentsareencouragedtosupporttheirchild’slearningandinformationsharedatconsultations.

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HomeLearningWeareintheprocessofupdatingourHomeLearningpolicytoaddressfeedbackfromrecentparent,pupilandstaffsurveys.

Pupilsareregularlygivenhometaskstosupporttheirlearningandtoencouragethemtobecomemoreorganisedandself-supportingintheirlearning.HomeLearningtaskswillbegivenwhereateacherfeelsaparticularchildorgroupofchildrenmaybenefitfromit.

TheHomeLearningisorganisedaccordingtothestageandabilityofthechild.Itcanarisefromallcurricularareas,anditmayincludewritten,oralorpracticalactivities.Thetaskssetwillbeinteresting,worthwhileandchallengingforthechild.

ParentsareencouragedtohelppupilswiththeirHomeLearningasameansofkeepingthemuptodatewiththeworkoftheclassandthechild’sprogressandtopromotepartnershipbetweentheschoolandparents.HomeLearningprovidesanopportunitytoconsolidatewhathasbeenlearnedinclass,makeyouawareofwhatyourchildislearningandprovideyouwithausefuldiscussionstarter.HomeLearningisalsoanintegralpartofschoolwork.Parentalinterestandco-operationareappreciatedinensuringHomeLearningisundertaken.

ReligiousInstructionandObservance

Parentswhowishtoexercisetheirrighttowithdrawtheirchildfromreligiousinstructionand/orobservanceshouldcontacttheHeadTeacher,inwriting,andalternativearrangementswillbemadeforyourchild.

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ExtraCurricularActivitiesWeofferaswidearangeofsportingandculturalactivitiesaspossible.

AtSciennes,thereisanexpansiverangeofextra-curricularactivitiesavailableforpupilsduringlunchtime,beforeandafterschool.OurParentCouncilprovidesmanyrichlearningexperiencesforourchildren.Parentswillbeinformedabouttheseatthebeginningoftheschoolyear.DetailsarepublishedontheParentCouncilwebsiteathttp://sciennesschool.wordpress.com

WearemostfortunatetohavethecityofEdinburghonourdoorstepandwecapitaliseuponthiswhereverpossible.Inadditiontoin-schoolactivities,classesalsomakeregulareducationalvisitsandfieldstudies.Thesevisitsarelinkedtopupils’classworkandwebelievevisitsenrichlearningexperiences.Wegreatlyvalueparentsupportandassistanceasvolunteers.

.

ActiveSchoolsThefundamentalaimofActiveSchoolsistogiveschool-agedchildrenthetools,motivationandtheopportunitiestobemoreactivethroughouttheirschoolyearsandintoadulthood.Theseopportunitiesareavailablebefore,duringandafterschool,aswellasinthewidercommunity.ForfurtherinformationcontacttheActiveSchoolsCoordinatoronEliot.Ambrose@.ea.edin.sch.uk.DetailsofActiveSchoolsextra-curricularclubsarepublishedonourschoolwebsiteandontheParentCouncilwebsite.

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AssessmentAspupilsprogressthroughourschool,teachersusearangeofassessmentstrategies,including‘AssessmentIsforLearning’(AifL)strategiesaswellassettingassessments.Pupilsarealsoinvolvedinassessingtheirownprogressanddevelopingtheirnextsteps.

Werecognisethatallpupilsdonotdevelopandprogressatthesamerateand,therefore,weusebothgroupandindividualmethodstoensurethatallpupilsaregivenappropriateinstructionandtheopportunitytosucceed.Pleasecontacttheschoolassoonaspossibleifyouhaveanyconcernsaboutyourchild’sprogress.

Pupils’workiscontinuallyassessedbyteachers,usingarangeofstrategiesandapproaches,toensureprogressinlearning.AssessmentisforLearning(AiFL)isakeyapproachtolearningandteaching.Inadditiontodailyassessmentofpupilwork,weusesummativeandformalstandardisedassessmenttotrackandmonitorprogress.Selfandpeerassessmentareanimportantpartofpupillearningandweencourageallourlearnerstosettheirowntargetsandself-assesstheirworkagainstagreedsuccesscriteria.InPrimary1,onentrytoschool,pupilscompletetheCityofEdinburghBaselineAssessments.AttheendofP1,pupilsareassessedtoensuretheyareontrackwithlearning.FromP1–P7weuseavarietyofstandardisedassessmentswhichhelpteachersconfirmtheiroverallassessmentofpupilabilitiesandneeds.Assessmentdataisanalysedandsupportseffectivetrackingandmonitoringoflearners’progress.OngoingassessmentofCurriculumforExcellenceoccursatEarly,First,SecondandThirdLevels.TheLevelalearnerisworkingatissharedwithparentsthroughreporting.TheAdditionalSupportforLearning(ASL)Departmentalsocarriesoutdiagnosticassessmentstoidentifyindividualneedsandsupportforlearning.

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Thissectiongivesinformationabouthowpupils’additionalsupportneedswillbeidentifiedandaddressedandthetypesofspecialistservicesprovidedwithinourschool.

GettingItRightforEveryChild

Takingcareofchildren'swellbeingandmakingsuretheyarewell-evenbeforetheyareborn-helpsensurethemostpositiveoutcomesforthemlaterinlife.Itgivesthemthepotentialtogrowupreadytosucceedandplaytheirpartinsociety.OurschooladoptstheGettingitRightforEveryChild(GIRFEC)inEdinburghapproachtogivetherighthelptochildren,youngpeopleandfamilies,whentheyneedit,accessingsupportfromajoinedupmultiagencyteamasrequired.

GettingitRightforEveryChildaimstoimproveoutcomesforallchildrenandyoungpeople.Itpromotesasharedapproachthat:

• buildssolutionswithandaroundchildrenandfamilies• enableschildrentogetthehelptheyneedwhentheyneedit• supportsapositiveshiftinculture,systemsandpractice• involvesworkingtogethertomakethingsbetter

GettingitRightforEveryChildisthefoundationforworkwithallchildrenandyoungpeople,includingadultserviceswhereparentsareinvolved.Itbuildsonuniversalhealthandeducationservices,andisembeddedinthedevelopingEarlyYearsandYouthFrameworks.Developmentsintheuniversalservicesofhealthandeducation,suchasBetterHealthBetterCareandCurriculumforExcellence,areidentifyingwhatneedstobedoneinthoseparticularareastoimproveoutcomesforchildren.

ProtectingChildrenandYoungPeopleWeplaceahighpriorityonthewellbeingandsafetyofourpupils.Tothisendwehaveinplaceapersonalsafetyprogrammetogivepupilsknowledgeandlifeskillstokeepthemsafefromallformofabuse.WherewehaveconcernsaboutthepossibleabuseofpupilswearerequiredtofollowtheEdinburghandtheLothian’sInter-AgencyChildProtectionProcedureswhichsetoutthespecificdutiesandresponsibilitiestowardsthechildandtheirparents/carers.StaffandpupilsusethehealthandwellbeingindicatorsSHANARRI(Safe,Healthy,Achieving,Nurtured,Active,Respected,ResponsibleandIncluded)tohelparticulateasenseofwellbeing.

SectionFour–SupportforPupils

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AdditionalSupportNeedsAswithalllocalauthorityschoolsinScotland,thisschooloperatesunderthetermsoftheAdditionalSupportforLearningAct(2009)anditsaccompanyingCodeofPractice.FurtherdetailsofthepoliciesandprocedurescanbefoundonEdinburghCouncilwebsiteatwww.edinburgh.gov.uk/InOnTheAct

InontheAct-Supportingchildrenandyoungpeoplewithadditionalsupportneedsprovidesthefollowinginformation

specifiedbytheEducation(additionalSupportforLearning)(Scotland)Act2009whichincludes–

(a)theauthority’spolicyinrelationtoprovisionforadditionalsupportneeds,

(b)thearrangementsmadebytheauthorityinmakingappropriatearrangementforkeepingunderconsiderationtheadditionalsupportneedsofeachsuchchildandyoungpersonandtheparticularadditionalsupportneedsofthechildrenandyoungpersonssoidentified.

c)theotheropportunitiesavailableunderthisActfortheidentificationofchildrenandyoungpersonswho-

a)haveadditionalsupportneeds,

b)require,orwouldrequire,aco-ordinatedsupportplan,

c)theroleofparents,childrenandyoungpersonsinthearrangementsreferredtoinparagraph(b),

d)themediationservicesprovided

e)theofficerorofficersoftheauthorityfromwhomparentsofchildrenhavingadditionalsupportneeds,andyoungpersonshavingsuchneeds,canobtainadviceandfurtherinformationaboutprovisionforsuchneeds.

Anadditionalsupportneedisidentifiedasabarrierforlearning.AtScienneswehaveaverygoodteamofstafftosupporttheneedsoflearners.Theyprovideadviceandresourcestoclassteachersandmeetwithparentstoshareinformationanddescribedetailsofhowtheycansupport.PupilSupportAssistantsprovideeffectivesupportandifachildisidentifiedthroughtheCityofEdinburghaudittheyreceiveadditionalsupportfortheirspecificneeds.TheAdditionalSupportforLearningteamwriteprogrammestomeetneeds.Schoolscanaccessanumberofservicestosupportlearnersandreferralswillbemadeinconsultationwithparents.GettingItRightForEveryChild(GIRFEC)providesaneffectivestructuretosupportplanningtomeetachild’sneeds.

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AtScienneswealsogreatlybenefitfromtheEnglishAsAnAdditionalLanguageService(EAL).Theteamofstaffworkdirectlywithlearnerstoremoveorreducebarrierstolearningandalsoprovidevaluableadviceandresourcestostaffandparents.Allpupilsaresupportedandchallengedtomeettheirfullpotential.OurSupportForLearningTeamworkveryeffectivelywithchildrentosupportandchallengelearning.

Weworkwithotheragenciesandprofessionals–forexample,SocialWorkServices,EducationalPsychologyService,NationalHealthServiceandyoutheparenttomakedecisionswithregardstothebestpossibleeducationtomeettheneedsofyourchildwithintheresourcesavailable.

Parents,carersandchildrenwithadditionalsupportneedscanalsoseekindependentadviceandsupportthrough:

Enquire:www.enquire.org.uk,08451232303ScottishIndependentAdvocacyAlliance,www.siaa.org.uk,01312605380TakeNote:NationalAdvocacyServiceforAdditionalSupportNeeds(BarnadosinassociationwiththeScottishChildLawCentre)www.sclc.org.uk,01316676633.

PastoralSupport

Weworkinpartnershipwithparentstoensurechildrenaresafeandhappyatschool.TheCityofEdinburghChildrenandFamiliesDepartmenthasarangeofpoliciesandprocedurestosupportschools.Sciennesisalargeschool,butweaimtoensureeverychildis;safe,healthy,achieving,nurtured,active,respected,responsibleandincluded.

SensitiveAspectsofLearning

Weproviderelevantinformationtoparentsaboutsensitiveaspectsoflearninge.g.relationships,sexualhealth,parenthood,drugsawarenessetc.Curriculummeetings,comprehensivebookletsandinformationonourschoolwebsitehelpparentssupporttheirchild’slearning.

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Transitions–MovingtoaNewSchoolorLeavingSchool

ThissectionalsogivesinformationaboutTransition.Therearealsodetailsaboutmakingaplacingrequesttoanotherschool.

TransferfromNurserytoPrimaryBeforeleavingnursery,atransferofinformationrecordforeachchildwillbepreparedbynurserystafftoensureasmoothtransitionandcontinuityofeducationforthechildtransferringtoSciennesPrimary.

PrimarySchoolAdmissions

Startingschoolisaveryimportantmilestonebothforchildrenandtheirparents.Thevastmajorityofourparentschoosetheirlocal,catchmentschoolandweplanoureducationprovisiontoensurewecanprovideplacesfornewpupilsattheircatchmentschool.

Intherun-uptoNovember'sregistrationweekforthenewPrimary1intake,eachschoolwillofferanopportunityforyoutovisitthem.Youcanspeaktostafftofindoutmoreabouttheschoolfirst-hand.Youcanseehowtheschoolruns;discussthecurriculumandtheirprioritiesaswellasseeingrecentexamplesofpupils'workondisplay.Inmanycasesyoumayalsohavethechancetomeetotherparentswhoalreadyhavechildrenthere.Allofthiswillhelpyouunderstandtheschool'suniquecharacterandgiveyouaninsightintothelearningenvironmentthatyourchildcouldenjoythere.

Allourschoolsofferahighqualityeducationalexperience.

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PrimarytoSecondaryTransferVisitstoourlocalsecondaryschool,JamesGilespie’sHighSchool,areorganisedbeforethesummerholidaysandchildrenfromothercatchmentschoolswhowillbeattendingthesamesecondaryschoolwillhavetheopportunitytomeetandgettoknoweachotherandtheirteachers.Whilethechildrenareparticipatinginclassroomactivitiesandmeetingtheirclassteacher,parentswillhavealsohaveanopportunitytoviewtheschoolandaregivenabriefexplanationofschoollifeataParentInformationEveningheldinJune.

Ifyouwishyourchildtoattendasecondaryschoolotherthanthecatchmentdenominationalornon-denominationalsecondaryschoolforyourhomeaddress,youwillberequiredtomakeaPlacingRequestasdetailedinthePlacingRequestsectionbelow.

YoudonotneedtosubmitaPlacingRequestifyouwantyourchildtotransferfromanon-denominationalsecondaryschoolorvice-versaattheprimarytosecondarytransferstage,aslongastheintendedsecondaryschoolisstillthecatchmentschoolforyourhomeaddress.Parentsofchildrenwhoareplanningtochangefromdenominationaltonon-denominationalorvice-versabetweenprimaryandsecondaryschoolshouldensurethatboththeprimaryschoolandtheintendedsecondaryschoolknowwhatistohappen.

PleaseinformtheschoolinwritingifyoudonotintendtotakeupyourcatchmentplaceatJamesGillespie’sHighSchoolinS1.

CatchmentSecondarySchoolJamesGillespie’sHighSchool57LauderdaleStreetEdinburghEH91DDTel:01314471900Website:www.jghs.edin.sch.ukWework closelywith nurseries to support an effective transition to Primary 1. TheDepute Headteacher, P1-3, liaises with pre-school groups and parents to support asmoothinductionandstarttoprimaryschool.StaffatJamesGillespie’sHighSchoolworkcloselywiththeDeputeHeadteacher,P5-7,Primary7 teachersand theAdditional Support forLearning (ASL) teacher toensureclearinformationonprogress,attainmentandneedsissupportingourlearnersmakeapositiveandsuccessfultransitionfromP7toS1.

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PlacingRequestsAsaparent,youhavetherighttomakeaPlacingRequestforyourchild(ren)tobeeducatedinaschoolotherthanthelocalschool.

IfyouwouldpreferthatyourchildstartP1orS1atanotherschoolinsteadofoneofthecatchmentschools,youhavetomakeaplacingrequest.Youcangetanapplicationformatanynurseryorprimaryschoolinthecityfrommid-November.Formsmustbereturnedto:Grants,AwardsandPlacements,TheCityofEdinburghCouncil,Level1.1WaverleyCourt,4EastMarketStreet,Edinburgh,EH88BGby24December.Ifyouapplyforaplaceafterthisdate,yourrequestwillbeconsideredbutifyouapplyaftermid-Marchplacesinyourchosenschoolmaynolongerbeavailable.

Allparentshavetherighttomakearequestforaplacefortheirchildinanotherschool.TheCouncilmustgranttheserequestswherepossible.Whentherearemoreplacesavailableinaschoolthanthereareplacingrequestsforthatschool,thenalltherequestsareusuallygranted.Iftheschoolyouspecifyhasmorerequeststhanavailableplaces,theneachcaseisexaminedindividually.Whateveryouwriteonyourapplicationformwillbetakenintoaccount,soitisimportantthatyouincluderelevantdetailsontheform.

ForPrimarySchools--Inrecentyears,astheprimaryschoolrollshaveincreasedtherehasbeenadecreaseinthenumberofplacesavailableforchildrenlivingoutsidethecatchmentareaandthishasresultedinhighnumbersofplacingrequestbeingrefused.

YoushouldalsonotethatasuccessfulPlacingRequestforonechilddoesnotguaranteeasuccessfuloneforanotherchild.Itmaybe,therefore,thataparentcouldendupwithchildrenatdifferentschools.

AllchildrenmustalsobeenrolledatthecatchmentareaschoolontheappropriateEnrolmentFormwhilstawaitingtheoutcomeoftheirPlacingRequestApplication.

TransportforPlacingRequests

IfaPlacingRequestissuccessful,parentswillberesponsibleforthesafetransportoftheirchild.

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Thesectiongivesyouanoverviewofthemainachievementsoftheschoolwithinthelast12monthsandperformanceinformationrelatingtoLiteracy,NumeracyandHealthandWellbeing.

RaisingAttainment

MonitoringperformanceandusingtheresultinginformationtosecureimprovementisanimportantpartoftheworkofHeadTeachers,schoolstaffandofficerswithinChildrenandFamilies.

StandardsandQualityReport

EveryyeareachschoolpublishesaStandardsandQualityreportwhichhighlightstheschool’smajorachievements.

Weconsultwithstaff,pupilsandparentstoevaluateourprogressandidentifystrengthsandnextsteps.Eachyear,weauditourprogressandprepareaStandardsandQualityReportandSummaryforParents.Thesedocumentsareavailableonourwebsite.

SchoolImprovementPlan

WehaveidentifiedprioritiesforthecomingsessionandourImprovementPlanisavailableontheschoolwebsite.OurmainprioritieswillfocusondeliveringExcellenceandEquity.

SectionFive–SchoolImprovement

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TransferringEducationalDataaboutPupilsTheScottishGovernment–EducationandTraininghasaskedthattheundernotedadvicebeincludedinourschoolbrochures.

EducationauthoritiesandtheScottishGovernmentcollecteddataaboutpupilsonpaperformsformanyyears.WenowworktogetherwithschoolstotransferdataelectronicallythroughtheScotXedprogramme.ThustheScottishGovernmenthastwofunctions:actingasa‘hub’forsupportingdataexchangewithintheeducationsysteminScotlandandtheanalysisofdataforstatisticalpurposeswithintheScottishGovernmentitself.

Whatpupildataiscollectedandtransferred?Dataoneachpupiliscollectedbyschools,localauthoritiesandtheScottishGovernment.

Thedatacollectedandtransferredcoversareassuchasdateofbirth,ScottishCandidateNumber(SCN),postcode,registrationforfree-schoolmeals,whetherapupilislookedafterbyhis/herlocalauthority,additionalsupportneedsincludingdisabilityandEnglishasanAdditionalLanguage(EAL),andattendance,absenceandexclusionsfromschool.TheSCNactsastheuniquepupilidentifier.PupilnamesandaddressesarenotpassedtotheScottishGovernment.Yourpostcodeistheonlypartofyouraddressthatistransferredforstatisticalpurposes,andpostcodesaregroupedtoidentify‘localities’ratherthanspecificaddresses.DataisheldsecurelyandnoinformationonindividualpupilscanorwouldbepublishedbytheScottishGovernment.

Providingnationalidentityandethnicbackgrounddataisentirelyvoluntary.Youcanchoosethe‘notdisclosed’optionifyoudonotwanttoprovidethisdata.However,wehopethattheexplanationscontainedinthismessageandontheScotXedwebsitewillhelpyouunderstandtheimportanceofprovidingthedata.

Whydoweneedyourdata?Inordertomakethebestdecisionsabouthowtoimproveoureducationservice,theScottishGovernment,educationauthoritiesandotherpartnerssuchastheScottishQualificationsAuthorityandSkillsDevelopmentScotlandneedaccurate,up-to-datedataaboutourpupils.Wearekeentohelpallourpupilsdowellinallaspectsofschoollifeandachievebetterexaminationresults.Accurateandup-to-datedataallowsusto:

• plananddeliverbetterpoliciesforthebenefitofallpupils• plananddeliverbetterpoliciesforthebenefitofspecificgroupsofpupils• betterunderstandsomeofthefactorswhichinfluencepupilattainmentand

achievement• sharegoodpractice• targetresourcesbetter.

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YourDataProtectionRightsThecollection,transfer,processingandsharingofScotXeddataisdoneinaccordancewiththeDataProtectionAct(1998).WealsocomplywiththeNationalStatisticsCodeofPracticerequirementsandotherlegislationrelatedtosafeguardingtheconfidentialityofdata.TheDataProtectionActgivesyoutherighttoknowhowwewilluseyourdata.Thismessagecangiveonlyabriefdescriptionofhowweusedata.FullerdetailsoftheuseofpupildatacanbefoundontheScotXedwebsite(www.scotxed.net).

TheScottishGovernmentworkswitharangeofpartnersincludingEducationScotlandandtheSQA.Onoccasion,wewillmakeindividualdataavailabletopartnersandalsoacademicinstitutionstocarryoutresearchandstatisticalanalysis.Inaddition,wewillprovideourpartnerswithinformationtheyneedinordertofulfiltheirofficialresponsibilities.AnysharingofdatawillbedoneunderthestrictcontroloftheScottishGovernment,whichwillensurethatnoindividualleveldatawillbemadepublicasaresultofthedatasharingandthatthesedatawillnotbeusedtotakeanyactionsinrespectofanindividual.DecisionsonthesharingofdatawillbetakeninconsultationwithcolleagueswithinandoutwiththeScottishGovernment.

ConcernsIfyouhaveanyconcernsabouttheScotXeddatacollectionsyoucanemailtheSeniorStatistician,scotxed@scotland.gsi.gov.ukorwritetoTheScotXedSupportOffice,Area1B,VictoriaQuay,Leith,EH66QQ.Alternativeversionsofthispageareavailable,onrequestfromtheScotXedSupportOffice,inotherlanguages,audiotape,brailleandlargeprint.

Throughoutthishandbooktheterm‘parent’hasthemeaningattributedintheStandardsinScotland'sSchoolsAct2000andtheScottishSchools(ParentalInvolvement)Act2006.Thisincludesgrandparents,careroranyoneelsewhohasparentalresponsibilityforthechild.Theinformationinthisschoolhandbookisconsideredtobecorrectatthetimeofpublication(January2020),however,itispossiblethattheremaybesomeinaccuracybythestartoftheschoolterminAugust2020.

Ihopeyoufindalloftheaboveinformationhelpfulandself-explanatory.Ifyouhaveanyqueriesaboutanyoftheinformationcontainedinthishandbook,orindeedaboutanyaspectofourschool,pleasedonothesitatetocontactme.

AndrewMHunter

andrew.hunter@sciennes.edin.sch.uk

HeadTeacher

SciennesPrimarySchool

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WebsitesYoumayfindthefollowingwebsitesuseful.

• www.edinburgh.gov.uk-containsinformationforparentsandinformationonEdinburghschools.

• http://www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk-parentscanfindoutabouteverythingfromschooltermdatestoexamresults.Thissitealsooffersinformationforpre-5andpostschool.Italsolistsrelevantpublicationsforparentsandprovideshyper-linkstootherusefulorganisations.

• www.hmie.gov.uk-parentscanaccessschoolandlocalauthorityinspectionreportsandfindoutmoreabouttheworkofEducationScotland.

• http://www.scottishschoolsonline.gov.uk-parentscanfindoutaboutindividualschools.TheycanchooseaschoolandselectwhattypeofinformationtheyneedsuchasEducationScotlandreports,examresults,stayonratesandfreeschoolmealentitlement.

• http://www.childline.org.uk/Explore/Bullying/Pages/Bullyinginfo.aspx-containsinformationforparentsandchildrenonvaryingformsofbullyingandprovideshelpforparentsandchildrenwhoareaffectedbybullying.

• http://www.respectme.org.uk/-Scotland’santi-bullyingservice.Containsinformationforparentsandchildrenonvaryingformsofbullyingandprovideshelpforparentsandchildrenwhoareaffectedbybullying

• http://www.educationscotland.org.uk/-providesinformationandadviceforparentsaswellassupportandresourcesforeducationinScotland

• http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/-containsinformationforeveryoneonequalitylawswithinthegovernmentandlocalauthorities.

Glossary

CFE-CurriculumforExcellence

ASN–AdditionalSupportNeeds

EMA–EducationMaintenanceAllowance

ASL–AdditionalSupportforLearning

SQA–ScottishQualificationsAuthority

FOI–FreedomofInformation

HT/PT–HeadTeacher/PrincipalTeacher

CLD–CommunityLearningandDevelopment

GIRFEC–GettingitRightforEveryChild

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Pleasetakeafewminutestofillinandreturnthequestionnaireonthispage.Yourfeedbackwillhelpusimprovethehandbooknextyear.

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