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FAQs

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What subjects do you teach at West Kirby Primary School?

Following the Education Reform Act (1988) each pupil has an entitlement by law to receive a balanced and broadly based curriculum which:

a) promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society.
b) prepares such pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

For children in years 1 to 6, within the guide-lines of the National Curriculum we teach the core subjects of English, mathematics, science and information and communications technology, and the foundation subjects of history, geography, design technology, physical education, art and design and music. We also teach personal, social and health education with citizenship, and children have the opportunity to learn basic French. As well as interactive white boards and multi media PC’s in our classrooms, including the nursery, we have an internet-linked computer suite that is used by the children throughout the school and all our classrooms have interactive whiteboards and projectors.

Children in nursery and reception are in the foundation stage and their work is planned to enable them to achieve early learning goals.

The following documents concerning the curriculum are available in school for parents to consult:

  • The local authority’s statement of curriculum policy.
  • Curriculum statutory instruments and circulars sent to the school by the Department for Education and Skills.
  • Governors’ policy documents on the curriculum.
  • Schemes of work used by teachers in school.
  • The school’s most recent OFSTED report

Does the school teach religious education?

Religious education is delivered in accordance with the agreed syllabus issued by the Wirral Education Authority, which may be viewed in school. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and from the daily act of collective worship if they so wish, as instanced in section 9 of the Education Reform Act (1988). Children withdrawn from R.E. will work in another classroom for the
duration of the lesson.

Requests should be made in writing to the headteacher.

What is the school’s approach to sex and relationships education?

Our governing body has decided that sex and relationships education should be taught in our school, and that it should form part of our overall programme of work in personal, social and health education which they keep under regular review. From their earliest years, pupils are taught, at a level appropriate to their age and understanding, about family life, the growth of and care for babies and young animals, parenting skills and patterns of friendship.

During their last year in primary school, or in year five if their parents wish, pupils take part in a general course on health and hygiene, part of which covers the physical changes which take place at puberty and the basic biology of human reproduction. The course, which consists of a series of videos followed by discussion, is planned and taught by the children’s class teacher, and parents are invited to view the video and to discuss the content of the teaching beforehand. All parents are welcome to read our policy document and are reminded that they have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the programme of sex education if they so wish. Please inform the headteacher in writing if you wish to do this.

How is the teaching organised?

The classes in our school are of mixed ability, and some consist of one age group whilst others are part vertically grouped, containing pupils from two adjacent year groups. In line with government policy, all our foundation stage and key stage one classes have 30 pupils or less and are also supported by teaching assistants. Our key stage two classes are kept as small as possible and also enjoy extra support in class and for Special Need provision.

Class teachers are responsible for the learning of pupils in their classes, but all our staff also have an overall responsibility for an area of the curriculum throughout the school, and consequently are able to use the expertise and knowledge of other teachers when necessary. In addition, our oldest children receive teaching from subject specialists in order to help prepare them for secondary school. This added support includes Science, Maths and Languages. In all cases, staff spend a great deal of time planning the work for children so that it is both appropriate and stimulating.

Throughout the school, we use a variety of teaching styles including whole class, group and individual teaching, depending upon the task and the needs of pupils. Because of this flexible approach where children within a class are often grouped by ability, particularly for the core subjects, we can accommodate a wide range of abilities and cater for the varying needs of our pupils including the gifted and talented.

In line with government requirements, we lay particular emphasis upon the teaching of basic skills of reading, writing and numeracy. All children in the main school have an hour of numeracy and an hour of literacy each day, but these periods are frequently supplemented by further activities leading to the development of these vital, basic skills.

We have allocated the teaching of different parts of the programme of study for each national curriculum subject to particular points in a child’s time in our school. In this way, we can ensure that there is continuity and progression in our teaching both within and between the key stages. Parents who would like to see our long- term curriculum plan are very welcome to contact the headteacher.

What is the governing body’s policy for children with special educational needs?

At West Kirby Primary School, we aim systematically to identify and assess pupils who have special educational needs. Through implementing the arrangements defined in the Code of Practice and through a whole school approach to planning and assessing suitable tasks, we seek to ensure that all children, including the most able, are encouraged to fulfil their true potential and to develop self-esteem.

We also seek to establish a partnership between parents and school and, where necessary, with the local authority and other agencies, for the benefit of children. We are particularly fortunate in that our school has excellent facilities for the physically disabled, including wheelchair access to all areas and a disabled toilet with changing facilities. Our school has a coordinator for special needs, who is responsible for the day to day co-ordination and operation of the school’s policy, and we have a governor whose specific responsibility is
special needs and who reports to the governing body on the progress children are making on a termly basis.

Complaints from parents about the school’s provision for children with SEN should be referred to the SEN co-ordinator, who will in turn refer them to the headteacher.

How does the school identify children with special needs and what provision is made?

We adhere to the model set out in the DCSL Code of Practice in identifying and assessing children with special needs. In line with this policy, we liaise with parents at all stages; outside agencies became involved at the stage of school action plus. All children in our school, including those with statements of special educational need, have access to a balanced and broadly based curriculum, including the national curriculum, because we aim to provide all our pupils with differentiated tasks appropriate to their ability, aptitude
and developmental stage.

Resources available are allocated amongst all children, according to need and many of our children with special needs receive extra help, often provided by support assistants following programmes of work devised by class teachers or the special needs co-ordinator. Staff receive appropriate training in providing for children with special needs both in the form of in-house advice from the co-ordinator and by attendance on appropriate courses, run by the LEA. Parents wishing to have more details about any aspect of provision for special needs are welcome to read our policy document that is available in school.

What is the length of the School day?

Nursery (am class): 9.00 am – 11.30 am
Reception and Key Stage 1 (Infants): 8.55 am – 12 noon and 1.15 pm – 3.30 pm
Key Stage 2 (Juniors): 8.55 am – 12 noon and 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm

We do request that pupils should not arrive in school before 8.45 am, as we cannot accept responsibility for any loss or injury to your children or any damage to their property before this time. During the week, children in key stage 1 spend twenty-two hours in lessons, and those in key stage 2, twenty-three and a half hours.

These times include religious education, but exclude the statutory act of collective worship, registration and breaks.

How can I find out more about what my child does in school?

Our home-school contract emphasises that education is a partnership between parents, children and teachers with rights and responsibilities on all sides, and we feel it is very important that parents and teachers should meet on a regular basis. With this in mind, apart from receiving an annual written report, all parents are invited to discuss their child’s progress with the class teacher once a term.

However, if the need arises, you are welcome to make an appointment to see the class teacher, or the headteacher, at any mutually convenient time Parents are also invited to join us for collective worship, when their child’s class is leading assembly or when he/she is receiving a merit badge.

We run a variety of workshops and curriculum meetings throughout the year, including ones specifically for nursery parents, coffee mornings and reading workshops for reception parents, and general meetings on specific areas of the curriculum. The headteacher also holds annual meetings to explain end of key stage assessment to year two and year six parents, secondary selection procedures and induction meetings in the
summer term for those parents whose children are entering the reception class in September.

At the beginning of the term, we send home details of what the children will be studying, and towards the end of term, the school newsletter reviews the activities of children, staff and governors during the previous months.

How do you deal with issues of pastoral care and discipline?

At West Kirby Primary School, in line with our Mission Statement, we seek to create a warm and friendly atmosphere in which each child is valued as a member of a caring school community and is treated very much as an individual. We emphasise strongly the development of self –discipline, with children being encouraged to think through decisions for themselves and to consider their effect upon others. We aim to develop a responsible attitude in our children and our oldest pupils help to care for younger children
at playtime and lunchtime.

Year five also undertake a period of “work experience” at the local playgroup and act as play leaders teaching other children games. We also have a School Council with representatives from each class that meets regularly with the headteacher to suggest ways to improve our school. Although we do not have a set of written rules, we do have a code of conduct, devised by the children, which all members of the school community are expected to support. Good behaviour and adherence to the code of conduct is encouraged by awarding team points, merit badges and code of conduct points. Any sanctions that do have to be taken usually involve loss of playtimes or team points.

Whilst most problems can be dealt with simply in this way, if further measures are necessary, they are taken after consultation with the child’s parents who are always kept fully informed.

Whilst we are fortunate in having few instances of bullying, the governing body of the school has taken a strong stance on this issue. We have an anti-bullying policy which has been recently reviewed and updated by a team of parents and any incidents that do occur are dealt with immediately.

How does the school deal with Child Protection Issues?

Sometimes schools receive information from a variety of sources (children, parents or other adults) concerned with the protection of individual children from abuse. This information will always be dealt with as confidentially as possible and made known to the smallest number of staff who need to know.

Parents do need to be aware that, whilst we will deal with such information with sensitivity and care, there are legal responsibilities laid upon the school to report actual allegations to Social Services or the Police and there are procedures we are expected to follow if suspicions are passed to us. All of us as adults have to accept that it is the protection of the child who may be at some kind of risk that is most important.

A copy of the Child Protection Procedures is available for inspection at the school.

Do the children receive homework?

At the beginning of the school year, all parents receive a guide outlining the curriculum and the type of homework that their children will receive and the frequency with which it will be given. Our homework policy that is in line with government recommendations has been devised by a working party of parents and teachers and then agreed to by the governing body.

Younger children are not generally given written homework but will take their reading books home regularly and we do ask that parents spend some time with their children sharing a reading activity. In addition, each term we introduce the children to a variety of maths games and activities and we encourage parents to become involved in its completion, as this work is complementary to that being done in school.

Older children are also encouraged to play maths games, are asked to learn tables and take their reading books home in order to practise reading skills. They will be given reading tasks and maths tasks to complete and spellings to learn on a regular basis and towards the end of key stage two, children will be asked to carry out research and produce topic work at home.

In addition to extending the work that they complete in school, this will enable children to practise research skills and help them to prepare for the homework demands of secondary education.

What provision do you make for sport?

At West Kirby Primary School we aim to involve all children in purposeful sporting activity. During their time in our school, children have the opportunity to take part in a variety of physical education activities during lesson time including gymnastics, games, athletics, dance, and for the older children, swimming and outdoor and adventurous activities.

Staff and parents and other providers run a variety of clubs for children after school including from time to time ones for gymnastics, football, keep fit, Judo, fencing, cross country running and basketball, and matches are arranged against other schools. We also take part in local swimming galas and our year six children have taster courses in orienteering, canoeing and rock climbing. We are lucky to have a hall and two tarmac playing areas for games, and the use of the playing fields in Anglesey Road for football, athletics and our annual sports days in which all the children take part.

Do the children go on visits outside school?

Visits outside school, both in the immediate locality of West Kirby and further afield, can contribute greatly to a child’s understanding of what he or she is learning in the classroom, and our pupils take part in a range of such visits during their time with us.

These activities are planned to develop particular subjects or topics the children are studying and include visits to historic houses, the library, local museums and art galleries and places of geographical or historical interest in the locality. In addition, we encourage visitors into school who can share their expertise and knowledge with the children, and we are visited regularly by the police and road safety officers who raise the children’s awareness of safety issues.

Do you charge for school activities?

In accordance with the local authority’s charging and remissions policy, which can be consulted in school, the governors make no charge for activities taking place during school time, other than instrumental music tuition provided by the authority’s instrumental music service. However, the continuation of such activities is dependent upon sufficient voluntary contributions from parents to cover the cost.

Do you have any out of school activities?

Staff and outside providers run a number of lunchtime and after school activities on a voluntary basis, usually for the older children. From time to time the following activities are offered: football, basketball, French, sewing, knitting, dance and drama, keep fit, various musical instruments, recorders, piano, cycling proficiency, gymnastics, conservation club, science, computers and judo. We also take part in inter school
matches, swimming galas and music festivals.

In addition, parents run a book club in school for pupils, and the Friends of West Kirby Primary School organise other social activities specifically for children from time to time. In the summer term, our oldest children have the opportunity to take part in a residential adventure course and in an end of year musical production.

Do you have any before and after school care?

We have a before school club run by Early Birds which starts at 8.00am and an after school care club run by Safe and Sound which finishes at 5.45pm. Both take children from nursery age upwards. Contact the headteacher for details.

Does the school have a uniform?

Although the wearing of school uniform is optional for children of primary school age, we do request your co-operation on this matter. Appropriate items of school uniform are listed below:

  • White shirt/blouse with school tie if desired
  • Grey cardigan/pullover/school sweatshirt
  • Grey trousers (short or long)
  • Grey skirt/pinafore dress/culottes
  • Grey or white socks/tights
  • Sensible and appropriate shoes (NOT trainers please)
  • Optional tie

During warmer summer weather, a blue and white striped or gingham dress may be worn instead of a skirt and blouse. Sweatshirts embroidered with the school name can be ordered from our school office, as can shorts and tee shirts. Ties and purse belts are also for sale in the school office.

We do ask that children should bring suitable items of clothing for physical education activities:-

  • Shorts (not Bermuda or cycling shorts) and tee shirt or a leotard for indoor P.E.
  • Pumps/plimsolls (preferably without laces for infants) for outside activities and shoe bag to keep them in.

For dance and gymnastics in the school hall, children are expected to perform in bare feet unless parents’ request otherwise in writing. In cold weather a tracksuit is advisable for outdoor activities We would be grateful if all items of clothing, including shoes, could be clearly named.

Please note that in the interests of safety for all children and in line with the requirements of all local secondary schools, the governors’ policy is that no jewellery including earrings, studs and sleepers should be worn in school. If you do wish your child to wear studs in school, these must be removed for PE or covered with tape and a disclaimer form must be signed by the parent. A watch may, however, be worn at the child’s own risk provided it is removed for physical education activities.

How can parents help their children?

Parents are their children’s first teachers and we recognise in our home-school contract the valuable contribution they make to their education by working with them at home. In addition, many of our parents help in school with a wide variety of activities, including cookery, art, craft, reading, swimming and on educational visits.

We also have helpers who run our Friday tuck shop, school library and bookshop and some of our parents and grandparents have undertaken a training course to become Successful Reading Partners, helping children develop into confident readers throughout the school. Parent helpers are a very valued and important part of our school community and we are always grateful for new volunteers!

Please contact your child’s class teacher or the headteacher if you can help in any way.

We are also fortunate to have an association established by parents known as The Friends of West Kirby Primary School, which organises a range of social events such as dances, sales, fairs etc. and which raises large sums of money for the school that are used for the benefit of all our children. For example, they paid for the changes needed to our school building to house our computer suite and have raised money for improvements to our playgrounds, which includes a canopy in the Foundation Stage. Parents, teachers and others are all involved in the events and extra support is always gratefully received.

Please contact the school if you can help in any way with their activities.

What arrangements are made at lunchtime?

Parents of children who wish them to have a hot meal at lunchtime can purchase one for them. Meals cost £1.50 a day and there is a limited choice to encourage children to pick a healthy meal as we are a Health Promoting School. A copy of the menu is given to parents and is also available from the school office.

Alternatively, children can go home during the midday break or bring their own packed lunches and a drink in a carton or can (not a flask or bottle please). Water is always available. For everyone’s benefit we recommend that children bringing money to school should have it in a purse belt or named purse. Lunches can be paid for weekly on Mondays. Packed lunches should be placed in a sturdy container clearly marked with your child’s name.

Once you have made a decision regarding your child’s meal (i.e. sandwiches, meal or home) we would be grateful if you could give one week’s notice if you wish to make a change. Any child who stays at school for lunch must remain on the premises for the whole of the break.

Can my child have milk at break time?

If you wish your child to have 1/3 pink of milk at morning break, this may be purchased termly in advance from the school secretary. Parents can choose milk with or without fluoride for their children. Children in the nursery class receive free milk each day. All children in the nursery and infant departments receive free fruit each day.

NB. Children may bring a piece of fruit to school to consume at morning break and a tuck shop operates on Fridays only selling healthy snacks such as fruit, breadsticks and raisins. Infant children receive free fruit and juniors may pay to have it provided. Children are encouraged to bring water bottles to school and to drink freely during the school day.

What arrangements are made for children needing medicine in school?

Children are not allowed to bring medicine into school for reasons of safety. If your child is fit enough to return to school after an illness but still requires medication during the day, it is possible to arrange for parents to come into school and to administer it during the lunch break. Class teachers and lunchtime supervisory assistants are not allowed to administer medicine. If it is impossible for a parent to administer medicine personally, arrangements can be made for the headteacher, the deputy head or the school secretary, to do this.

In this case, the medicine must be brought to the headteacher personally and the parent must sign an indemnity form stating the required dosages. The headteacher will not undertake to administer any medicine if the dosage or timing is critical. We hope that parents will understand that these arrangements are necessary for the safety of all the children in our school.

What should I do if my child is unwell and cannot attend school?

It is important for your child to attend school regularly, but if your child cannot attend, please contact the school on the first day of absence, either in person of by phone (the answer phone is always available out of hours) to tell us the reason for your child’s absence. In this way we can ensure that all our children are safe and that we know where they are.

Can I take my child on holiday during term time?

  • The government have agreed that the headteacher can authorise – at his discretion – up to 10 school days leave of absence in any one school year. This is not an automatic right and will not be granted during SATs, for example.
  • Should this request not be granted, time taken will be classed as unauthorised absence and will automatically appear on the pupil’s record and also affect our statistical report to the DfES.
  • The completed form should be returned to school prior to the date for which the leave of absence is requested.

Do you have a policy on road safety?

West Kirby Primary School considers the safety of its pupils, parents and staff to be of the utmost importance. We have a policy on road safety and we acknowledge that each child has the right to receive road safety education and that this is the dual responsibility of school and parents. We encourage the participation of parents in road safety education and we have identified safe practices that will be carried out during school activities.

Road safety education forms part of our policy on personal, social and health education and is taught by teachers and by others such as the community policeman and representatives from the local authority road safety department. Children in Year 5 also receive Cycle training.

How does the school provide for the creative arts?

Art and music are part of the national curriculum and are taught to all children in our school. One of our aims is to “develop each child’s aesthetic awareness and to provide opportunities for the growth of creativity and imagination”, and we seek to provide a range of activities with this end in view.

Visits to museums and art galleries are planned in the curriculum and every year, a professional theatre group visits our school to perform for all the children. Concerts by professional and semi-professional musicians also take place at least annually and whenever possible; children are taken to concerts, for example at the Philharmonic Hall and to local theatres. Some of our extra curricular activities such as drama, art club and
musical activities are also designed to develop children’s creativity. Cultural events such as our annual Poetry Afternoon take place regularly and all our upper juniors have the chance to take part in a drama production at the end of the year.

How does the school deal with complaints?

There is a formal procedure for dealing with complaints about the curriculum that is described in the section on statutory information at the end of this brochure. However, parents may from time to time be unhappy with some other aspect of school life that affects their child. In this case, the matter should be raised with the class teacher in the first instance, then if the matter is not resolved, with the head teacher. If a parent is not happy with the outcome, the complaint can be referred to the chair of governors. This process is outlined in our complaints procedures which parents are welcome to read.

Race Relations Policy

No incidents of racial discrimination or harassment will be tolerated in our school. We have a policy dealing with such incidents which can be viewed and which will be adhered to by all members of the school community. Please ask the headteacher if you would like to see this policy.