GENERAL INFORMATION

A

Admissions - at Seabrook we have a 'Published Admission Number' of 15. This means that we may only take up to 15 children unless the school's governing body makes a decision to accept more. If we are over subscribed, preference is given in the following order:

0. children with a statement of special educational need

0. children in local authority care

0. parents who express a preference for a Church School

0. parents with other children at the school

0. then we take the children who live nearest to the school

If your child is due to start school in September 2011 (i.e. if he/she was born between 1st September 2006 and the 31st August 2007) then you should collect a Common Application Form from any primary school, complete it and send it back to KCC; who will then contact you about the school place offered to your child.

Active Play Leaders - children in Years 5 and 6 train as play leaders so that they can intitiate play with the younger children in the school during break and lunchtimes.

Attendance - if you child is unable to attend school please contact the school at your earliest opportunity; either by telephone or email - office@seabrook.kent.sch.uk  Class 'Attendance and Punctuality' is celebrated each week at Merit Assembly. At the end of each term children with 100% attendance for that term are awarded a certificate.

B

Breakfast Club - is available every morning from 7.50am to 8.40am. The children have a bowl of cereal, some toast and a drink of juice, all for £1.50.

Book Bags are available for purchase from the school office at a cost of £2.60.

Bicycle Rack  - we encourage the children to walk and cycle to school. In our front playground we have a bicycle rack where children can safely leave their bicycles.

C

Clubs - we run several clubs during the year both at lunchtime and after school. This school year we are running the following clubs - football, multi-sports, yoga, art, story club, card making, netball, gardening, choir and drama. See our clubs page for more details and photographs.

Celebration News - we celebrate children's out of school successes with a regular termly newsletter. Please let us know of anything your child has achieved so that we may share it with the school.

Collective Worship -   the children take part in collective worship daily. The whole school gets together 3 times a week and the key stages twice a week. South Kent Community Church visit the school once or twice a term to take our collective worship.

The picture below shows one of their visits using puppets.

Complaints Procedure - school has a procedure for any complaints. In the first instance please speak to your child's teacher; many problems can be sorted out when they first arise. If the problem remains unresolved then please speak to the Headteacher.

Contact Details - please keep the school informed of any changes to your contact details, especially changes to contact telephone numbers, so that in an emergency we are able to contact you quickly.

Courtesy Cup - this is awarded at Merit Assembly every Friday for the child that has displayed polite, thoughful actions during the week.

D

Dinner Money - is collected on a Monday morning. Cheques should be made payable to Chartwells. Currently weekly dinner money is £10.50 per child. If your child wishes to start or stop having school dinners we do need 2 weeks notice as the food is ordered 2 weeks in advance. 

E

ECO Council -  the school has an Eco Council who investigate and suggest ways in which we can improve our school environment.

ECO Travel - we encourage children to cycle, walk or park and stride on their journey to school. Those children that do are rewarded with an "eco stamp". These stamps accumulate during the year and when a child has amassed 50 stamps they are awarded a bronze medal, after 100 stamps a silver medal and when they reach 150+ they are awarded a gold medal.

Educational Visits - we enjoy a number of visits throughout the year. These visit will often enhance topic work that the children study in class. During the last academic year Swordfish Class experienced a World War II Evacuation Experience at Tenterden Railway; Jellyfish Class went to the Maize Mazeat Burmarsh and Rainbow Fish and Starfish classes enjoyed a trip to Wingham Wildlife Park.

Sometimes visitors come into school instead. Last year the children took part in a Sponsored Bounce organised by South Kent Community Church to raise money for a project in Mexico, a Book Fair and a visiting author.

Extended School Services -  our school offers a Breakfast Club each morning from 7.50am to 8.40am. If you require any information regarding child care at the end of the school day please contact the school office. 

F

Free School Meals - if you think your child may be eligible for free school meals please contact the school office for more details.

First Aiders - a number of school staff are trained first aiders who will administer basic first aid as required.

Fruit - the school is part of the scheme providing free fruit to KS1 children. A piece of fruit is offered to these children each morning break time.

FLO - our Family Liaison Officer (FLO) is Mrs Harris. Her role is to support and liaise with the children, parents, carers and families of our school. She is in school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays if you would like to pop in and have a chat.

G

Guided Reading - all children participate in a small guided reading group led by their teacher or teaching assistant, at least once every week. Guided reading helps children to recognise and use the necessary strategies to become confident independent readers, and teachers to access their progress.

Governors - the governors of the school produce a report each year which is now known as the 'School Profile'. This is available to read on the internet - http:/schoolsfinder.direct.gov.uk

H

Holidays - if you need to go on holiday during term time please collect a holiday request form from the school office. On returning the form to school along with a letter explaining the reason for the absence holidays are then granted at the discretion of the headteacher. Holidays will not be granted in the months of September and May.

HomeContact - the school uses a company called Home Contact to send out text messages and emails to parents/carers. This means we can quickly contact parents and carers to inform them of cancelled after school clubs or send reminders of forthcoming events. Newsletters and other information are often sent by email to those that have such a facility at home. 

Homework - is given to reinforce classroom learning.

Handwriting - children are taught cursive letter formation from the foundation stage. This helps them to develop a 'joined up' handwriting style by the end of KS1.

I

Inset Days - during the year the school is closed for 5 Inset Days. These are training days for the staff.

ICT -  as the school does not currently have the space for a computer suite we have 30 laptops instead that all the children can use in class for various aspects of the curriculum.

J

Jewellery - we advise that children do not wear jewellery to school. For health and safety reasons any child who wears ear studs must either remove them or have them taped when doing PE or swimming.

K

Keeping Parents Informed - we like to keep parents up to date. We do this through regular newsletters, the noticeboards in the front playground, homecontact and parents' evenings.

L

Lunch Arrangements - children can either bring a packed lunch from home or have a school dinner. Lunch time is from 12.10pm to 1.10pm. We promote a healthy lunch ethos in school so would ask that lunch boxes do not contain such items as chocolate, chocolate coated items and sweets.

Lost Property - we keep a lost property box in school. We advise you to clearly label your child's uniform and equipment.

Library - our library has a computerised system that allows children to borrow and return book independently.

M

Medication - we are only able to give prescribed medication to children in school. If your child requires prescribed medication during the school day please complete the necessary form from the school office.

Medical Conditions - if your child suffers from a specific medical condition please ensure that the school is informed and updated as necessary.

Music Lessons - we have peripatetic music teachers provided by Kent Music who come into school and teach those children wanting to learn an individual instrument.

Merit Assembly - every Friday we hold a merit assembly where we celebrate the achievements of those children whose names have been written in the "Merit Book". A list of those children is then placed on the School Noticeboard and certificates are sent home. This year we have introduced the "Merit Cup" which is awarded to one child each week.

Milk - children under 5 are eligible to receive free milk. Once children reach 5 they can continue with milk at a small charge. Please ask at the school office for details.

Modern Foreign Languages - all children in the school are taught Spanish and French. In 2008 the school was awarded the Gold Kent Accreditation for our Modern Foreign Language provision.

N

Newsletters - look out for our newsletters which are a source of useful information and news.

Noticeboard - useful information is put on the noticeboard in the front playground.

O

Open Door - our door is always open to you.

P

Parent Helpers - are very welcome. Please talk to any member of staff if you are interested in helping in school. All Parent helpers will need to be List 99 checked prior to helping in school in line with our School Safeguarding Policy.

PE Kit - please ensure your child has their PE Kit in school at all times. Our kit is navy shorts, white t-shirt and a pair of pumps.

Peer Mediators -  year 6 children are trained as peer mediators and are available in the playground to sort out any disagreements between children.

Playground Buddies - some children in Years 5 and 6 choose to become "Playground Buddies". This means they look after children in the playground at lunchtime, helping them play together.

PPA - all teacher's have release time for preparation, planning and assessment (PPA). This is usually 1 day a fortnight and the class is taught instead by either Mrs Carter or Mrs Finnis.

Prize Giving - at the end of each school year we hold our annual prize giving at the Folkestone School for Girls. It gives us an opportunity to celebrate the children's successes and talents.

R

Reading - please encourage your child to read to you every night, asking them questions about the book so that they gain a greater comprehension. We also hold a Book Week each year when the children dress up as a favourite book character and enjoy various "book" related activities throughout the week.

R.E - religious education is taught throughout the school using the Kent Scheme of Work.

S

SATS -  at the end of KS2 the children in Year 6 take their SATs tests in Maths and English. Science is no longer tested but the class teacher will assess the level each child has attained in this subject.  For the last academic year (2009/10) all our Year 6 children achieved Level 4 or above in Maths, English and Science. The table at the bottom of the page shows the percentage of pupils achieving each level.

Safeguarding - we take the safeguarding of our children very seriously and all our staff receive Child Protection training. We ask all parents/carers leave their child/children at the front door and let their child/children walk to their classroom by themselves each morning. This also encourages their independence. Any urgent messages for the class teacher can be given to the school office.

School Council - our children's views and ideas are very important and we encourage their input into new initiatives and major developments in school. The school council is their vehicle for putting forward these views and ideas.

Swimming - children in Years 3 to 6 go swimming at Hythe Swimming Pool on a Monday morning. Each year group goes for 4 terms during the year.

Special Education Needs - our school prides itself on its inclusiveness of all its children, encouraging them to achieve their best. The class teachers plan their work to meet individual's needs and progress is monitored carefully.

School Day -    KS1 8.50am to 3.10pm and KS2 8.50am to 3.15pm.  The door opens at 8.40am and children go straight into class. We ask that parents to leave their children at the front door so helping to increase independence.

Sports Events - the children take part in a wide variety of sporting events thanks to the local Schools Sports Partnership. Last year we took part in football, kwik cricket, tri-golf, tag rugby, basketball, tennis, multi skills and gladiators festivals.

 St Martin's Church -  the school has strong links with our local church. We hold our annual carol concert at the church and the vicar regularly takes our collective worship in school.

T

Telephone Numbers - please keep the school updated with any changes to contact telephone numbers especially mobile numbers.

Terms - the school year is broken down into 6 terms. Terms 1 and 2 are the old Autumn Term; Terms 3 and 4 the old Spring Term and Terms 5 and 6 the old Summer Term.

Tag Days - we have regular 'Tag Days' throughout the year when the children wear their own clothes or dress up in a theme and pay a small sum of money for the privilege! The money is then given to one of the nominated charities that we have chosen to support during the school year.

Uniform the governors expect pupils to wear the school uniform. Our uniform is as follows:

Boys

• Grey/black school trousers
• White shirt to be worn in Terms 2,3 and 4
• School Tie to be worn in Terms 2, 3 and 4
• Navy Jumper
• Black Shoes (no boots or trainers)
• Sky Blue Polo shirt - to be worn in Terms 1, 5 and 6.

Girls

• Grey/black trousers or skirt
• White shirt to be worn in Terms 2, 3 and 4
• School Tie to be worn in Terms 2, 3 and 4
• Navy Jumper/cardigan
• Black shoes (no boots or trainers)
• Sky Blue Polo shirt or blue checked dress to be worn in Terms 1, 5 and 6

Jumpers, cardigans, polo shirts and ties can be bought from the school office.

V

Volunteers - volunteer helpers in school are always welcome. Please speak to the headteacher if you would like to help. All volunteers will need to have a List 99 check prior to helping in school as per our school Safeguarding Policy.

W

Water bottles - we encourage children to drink water throughout the day. Each child has their own water bottle which they use in class and we also have a water fountain in the playground.

 Y

Young Carers -  we support the children who are young carers at home with monthly sessions in school. These children are also supported during the holidays and this often involves them taking part in day trips out.

SATS results for academic year 2009/10