Alford Primary School

63 Pages·2016·1.37 MB·English

From mountain to sea

Alford Primary School
Handbook

2021/22
2 |
Contents
Introduction to Alford Primary School 4
Our Vison, Values and School Ethos 8
Curriculum 10
Support for Children and Young People 22
Getting it Right for Every Child 22
Wellbeing 22
Children’s Rights 24
Educational Psychology 25
Enhanced Provision & Community Resource Hubs 25
Support for Learning 26
The Child’s Plan 27
Child Protection 27
Further Information on Support for Children and Young People 28
Parent & Carer Involvement and Engagement 30
Parental Involvement and Engagement Strategy 30
Parental Engagement 30
Communication 30
ParentsPortal.scot 31
Learning at Home 31
Parent Forum and Parent Council 32
Parents and School Improvement 32
Volunteering in school 32
Collaborating with the Community 32
Addressing Concerns & Complaints 32
School Policies and Useful Information 34
Attendance 34
Holidays during term time 35
Dress Code 36
Clothing Grants 37
Transport 37
Privilege Transport 38
Early Learning & Childcare Transport 39
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Special Schools and Enhanced Provision 39
School Closure & Other Emergencies 39
Storm Addresses 40
Change of address and Parental Contact Details 41
Anti-bullying Guidance 41
School Meals 42
Healthcare & Medical 44
Schools and Childcare – Coronavirus 45
Exclusion 45
Educational Visits 46
Instrumental Tuition 46
Public Liability Insurance 46
School Off Site Excursion Insurance 47
Data we hold and what we do with it. 47
The information we collect from you 48
Your Data, Your Rights 48
Parental Access to Records 48
Information Sharing 49
ScotXed 49
Further Information 50
4 |Introduction to Alford Primary School
All information in this handbook is correct as of November 2021

Introduction to Alford Primary
School

Dear Parent,

Welcome to Alford Primary School.

We take pride in the fact that this is a happy and industrious school with a real sense
of team spirit.

We firmly believe that education is a joint venture and we hope to work closely with
you. This school handbook explains what you can expect of the school and also
indicates what the school expects of you in the way of partnership, help and support.
We hope that our partnership will be productive and enjoyable and your child enjoys
his/her time at Alford Primary School.

Aberdeenshire Council School Handbooks are designed to inform parents of as many
aspects of school life as possible, and this generic handbook has been written in
response to ‘School Handbook Guidance (Scotland) Regulations 2012’

We hope you find the handbook clear and informative. Please feel free to contact us
with any suggestions for improvements.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Elaine McGowan
Head Teacher

Please note – “Parent” includes guardian and any person who is liable to maintain or has parental
responsibilities (within the section 1 (3) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995) in relation to, or has care
of a child or young person.

Please note that whilst all information within this handbook is correct at the time of printing, it
is possible that some items may change during the course of the year.
Introduction to Alford Primary School | 5
School Contact Details
Head Teacher Elaine McGowan
School Name Alford Primary School
Alford Community Campus
Address Greystone Road
Alford AB33 8TY
Telephone Number 019755 20390
Nursery Number 019755 20393
Website www.alford-pri.aberdeenshire.sch,uk
Parent Council Email [email protected]

Adverse weather and emergency closure
https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/Apps/schools-closures/
Information Line 0370 054 4999 School Pin 021190 (Please do not use this line to
leave messages for the school.)

Alford Primary School is a non-denominational school with a role of Nursery: 36 and
School: 362. The school serves Alford Community Campus catchment area. Alford Primary
and Nursery are accommodated within the newly built Alford Community Campus.
Devolved budgets are managed in accordance with authority guidelines in order to support
planned improvements in the school.
6 |Introduction to Alford Primary School
Useful Numbers:

Marr, Kincardine & Mearns Education, Learning and Leisure Area Office
Queen’s Road
Stonehaven
AB32 2QQ
Tel: [phone]
Fax [phone]

Quality Improvement Officer
Quality improvement Team
Marr Education and Children’s Services Area Office
Queen’s Road
Stonehaven
AB32 2QQ
Tel: [phone]
Fax [phone]

Director of Education & Children’s Services
Mr Laurence Findlay
Woodhill House
Westburn Road
Aberdeen
AB16 5GB
01224 665420

Organisation of the School Day

Nursery Morning Session 8.00 am - 1.00 pm
Nursery Afternoon Session 1.00 pm - 6.00 pm
(Full days available)
P1-7 Morning Session 8.40 am - 12.20 pm
P1-7 Afternoon Session 1.20 pm - 3.00 pm
P1-7 Interval 10.20 am - 10.40 am
Introduction to Alford Primary School | 7
Our Leadership team:

Mrs McGowan Head Teacher
Mrs Forbes Deputy Head Teacher
Mr Lofthouse Deputy Head Teacher
Mrs Grant Deputy Head Teacher
Mr Neil Young Acting Deputy Head Teacher
Mr Gray Principal Teacher
Mrs Angela Stewart Senior Early Years Practitioner

Our Admin team:

Mrs Harvey School Administrator (part time)
Miss Quin Clerical Assistant/School Administrator (part time)

Our Janitorial team:

Mr Smith Supervisory Janitor
Mr Malcom Janitor
Mr Wilkinson Janitor
8 |

Our Vision, Values and

School Ethos

Our Vision : Nurturing, Achieving and Inspiring through Respect, Challenge and Enjoyment

Our Values: Respect, Learning, Kindness, Friendship, Responsibility, Honesty, Trust.
Our aims:
• To be the best we can be
• To learn from each other
• To take responsibility for our own words and actions
• To care and support each other
• To speak respectfully and truthfully
• To keep everyone safe

Positive Behaviour Management and Expectations
Positive Behaviour Management is a vital component in helping Alford Primary
School to achieve its aims and values. Our Positive Behaviour Management Policy
also provides our pupils with the1369
13 boundaries and rules that they need in order to fulfil their potential and contribute
to the wellbeing of others.

Discipline is essential to good learning situations. The general aim of the school is to
provide an atmosphere of mutual respect and collective responsibility. Pupils, parents
and teachers all have an important part to play in achieving this atmosphere. The
rules of the school are of a common sense nature, bearing in mind the interest and
safety of all concerned.

• We are the best we can be
• We take responsibility for our own words and actions
• We are kind to each other
• We speak respectfully and truthfully
• We listen and follow instructions
• We are helpful and support each other
• We are gentle and keep each other safe
• We look after our own and other people’s property
| 9
Bullying
Bullying may be defined as a range of pre-meditated, persistent and often deliberate actions,
undertaken by a person or a group of people, which cause the victim(s) physical or emotional
distress.

It may be useful at this point to draw a distinction between acts of bullying and incidents which,
although not to be encouraged, are commonplace when groups of children play together.
An occasional tussle or quarrel between two children will be treated as a breach of discipline
by staff, but it is not bullying. Similarly, reciprocal or casual name-calling is not to be condoned,
but it is not bullying.

Sustained victimisation is bullying. The crucial distinction is where the imbalance of power is
such that the victim clearly needs positive support. At the same time the bully needs to be
made aware of the damage, which his/her actions are causing.

The school is opposed to all forms of bullying behaviour, be this physical, verbal, threatening
and intimidating behaviour or ostracism from groups, games or activities, and we will do
everything in our power to prevent such behaviour amongst our pupils, and to deal effectively
with any incidents which might occur. Victims of bullying are supported by a range of strategies
and resources depending upon the needs of the child and the nature of the incidents. However,
please be reassured that incidents of bullying in Alford Primary School are few and far
between.

We believe that a strong, positive school ethos and constant work on building a caring school
community, together with close contact with parents, offer the best way forward.

Whilst many believe that children who bully must be punished for their behaviour, it is widely
accepted that this type of response can at times be ineffective and dangerous. It breeds
resentment and can make the situation worse.

Punishment can make a person resentful instead of reflective. Children who bully must be
given the opportunity to hear about and face up to the pain, hurt, distress and anger they have
caused to others. Punishment does not help to restore relationships and can result in further
retaliation.

Aberdeenshire Council has a responsibility to protect those being bullied but also to provide
an education for all pupils including children who bully or those with behavioural problems.
Whilst appropriate action will be taken by the school, it is also important that all parents
involved work with the school to resolve the problems in the best interests of their child or
young person.

Exclusion
Where pupils who repeatedly display behaviours which compromise the good order of the
school i.e. disruption of learning and teaching, unsafe practices, bullying and other forms of
abuse and where other forms of support and sanctions have proved unsuccessful, the
authority exclusion policy will apply. For further information on exclusions contact the school,
or go to www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/about/departments/GuidelinesForExclusion.pdf
10 |Curriculum

Curriculum

Within our school, we aim to provide a curriculum that is both inclusive and ambitious
for all – a curriculum which is both academically challenging as well as providing
opportunities to develop skills for learning, life and work.
Our curriculum will be based around the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence
– to ensure our pupils are successful learners, confident individuals, effective
contributors, and responsible citizens. Our curriculum will also reflect the principles of
curriculum design to ensure breadth, depth, personalisation & choice, challenge &
enjoyment, progression, coherence, and relevance. We will therefore, have a
curriculum which we will adapt continuously over time to meet the needs of our
pupils.
Following the principles of Curriculum for Excellence, achievement of children and
young people is celebrated in its broadest sense. This means looking beyond
formally assessed learning, to recognise activities like volunteering and participation
in arts, sports, and community-based programmes. This approach complements the
nurturing and aspirational outcomes of Getting It Right for Every Child, and our aim in
Aberdeenshire to overcome inequality by Raising Attainment for All, promoting Equity
and Excellence in schools, and Closing the Gap. Further information on the school’s
approach to Curriculum for Excellence including information for parents, can be
found on the school website at www.alford-pri.aberdeenshire.sch,uk.

Curricular Areas
• Literacy and English Language: Listening, Talking Reading, and Writing.
• Numeracy and Mathematics: Number, Money and Measure, Information
Handling, Shape, Position and Movement.
• Health & Wellbeing: Mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing,
Physical education, activity and sport, Food and health, Substance misuse,
Relationships, sexual health and parenthood.
• Social Studies: People, past events and societies, People, place and
environment, People, society, economy, and business.
• Sciences: Planet Earth, Forces, electricity and waves, Biological Systems,
Materials, Topical Sciences.
• Technologies: Technological developments in society, Business technology
skills and knowledge, Computing science, Food and textiles, Craft, design,
engineering, and graphics.
• Expressive Arts: Music, Drama, Art and Design and Dance.
• Religious and Moral Education: Christianity, World Religions, Development
of beliefs and values.
• Modern Languages: French and Spanish