BWS_prospectus_pages_OCT19

‘Childcare, education & community services for all’
Information for Parents
“Working together for the best start in life”
www.bridgewater.newcastle.sch.uk

Information for Parents
School Address
Bridgewater School, Delaval Road, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 6NL
Telephone 0191 274 5290
HeadTeacher Mrs Samantha Robson
Chair of Governors Mr Nitin Shukla
If you need this booklet in a different format or translated
into another language, please contact the HeadTeacher.
Further information can also be found on our website,
www.bridgewater.newcastle.sch.uk
‘The grounds provide
large play areas, safety
surfaces for climbing
equipment, trim trails
and well developed
outdoor curriculum
areas including an
allotment, orchard and
wildlife area for our
forest school.
2

General Information
Bridgewater is an inner city primary school. The school was
formed when a variety of settings in the local area, including
Delaval Community School, Valley View Nursery School and
Armstrong Road Community Nursery merged in September 2006
to form Bridgewater Centre. Bridgewater caters for children from
birth to 11 and their families.
There are a growing proportion of pupils with English as an
additional language and currently these children speak a range
of languages but mainly Polish, Czech or Slovakian as their
home language. We have a growing number of other languages
too.
Bridgewater has a range of community facilities which consist of
a family learning suite which also houses wrap around provision;
specialist teaching areas such as a music room, art and
technology room, a sensory room and a multimedia suite. These
facilities enable us to deliver a range of activities some of which
are specialised.
Our 4 mini buses support curriculum activities and our Breakfast
Club.
The grounds provide large play areas, safety surfaces for
climbing equipment, trim trails and well developed outdoor
curriculum areas including an allotment, orchard and wildlife area
for our forest school. Play is extremely important for our children
and to demonstrate our commitment we are a registered OPAL
school. You can find out more about this on our website.
The immediate area surrounding the school is almost entirely
residential; homes are rented from Your Homes Newcastle or
from private landlords. This area is part of Newcastle’s inner
city re-generation project with ‘The Rise’ offering private and
affordable houses.
The school is almost full and from September 2018 has been two
form entry from Nursery to Year 6. We also have provision for 50
places in our 0 - 3 setting.
In 2013 the school was inspected by OFSTED and judged
Outstanding in every area.
3

Arrangements For School
Admissions
We are happy to admit children into school at any time during
the school year, as long as we have a place for them. We follow
Newcastle Local Authority’s agreed admission arrangements.
Nursery children are admitted throughout the first two weeks of
September, to give time for children and Teachers to get to know
each other. Reception children are admitted on the first day of
the September term.
0-3
Parents can purchase a place in our 0-3 childcare at any point in
the year. Children who are 3 years old before the 31st December
and then again before 31st March can access a free 15 hour
place from the beginning of the following term. We also offer
free places to children who are 2 years old and meet the Local
Authority criteria. Please ask to see our separate brochure.
The Nursery Class
Children are admitted to the Nursery in the September following
their third birthday or during the year as vacancies occur.
The Reception Class
Children are admitted to the Reception Class in the September
following their fourth birthday. One Teacher and one full time
Early Years Practitioner staff each Reception Class.
You are welcome to visit the school before your child joins us.
Please contact the school office to make an appointment.
There are coffee mornings and open days for parents in the
Summer Term before their child first comes to school, when
parents can meet each other and their child’s Teacher. You are
encouraged to bring your child into the classroom when they first
start school and stay with them at the start of the day until they
are settled.
4

Organisation
The organisation of the school may vary according to the number
of children in each year group and the number of staff we have
to teach them. From September 2018 we have had the following
classes: two Nursery, two Reception, two Year 1, two Year 2,
two Year 3, two Year 4, two Year 5 and two Year 6. The children
are always taught according to their individual needs and
National Curriculum requirements. In addition we also have a
class for children with special educational needs - an Additonally
Resourced Provision (ARP). This class is for the assessment of
young children with a range of needs. Children from all over the
city have access to places in this special class.
The ARP has two Teaching Assistants who support the
Teacher, the Nursery and Reception classes have Early Years
Practitioners working alongside the Teachers and there is a
Teaching Assistant in all other classes in the main school.
We also have a full complement of Midday Assistants, a
Receptionist, an Admin & Finance Officer, a School Business
Manager, an Extended Services Manager, a Family Support
Worker and a Wellbeing Officer.
Also involved with the school on a day to day basis, are the
Facilities Manager, Facilities Supervisor, Cleaners, the Cook and
Kitchen Assistants.
The staff at Bridgewater are hardworking, welcoming and
extremely supportive. Great emphasis is placed on working
together as a team. There are regular staff meetings, meetings
to plan work for the different age groups and training days, when
staff learn and improve their skills and knowledge.
If a child has additional needs, we may need to involve other
professionals from the Local Authority or other external
‘The staff at Bridgewater are hard
working, welcoming and extremely
supportive.’
5

Contact With Parents
We recognise the importance of the partnership between Home
and School and we are aware that the best education for children
is one which involves their families as well.
When your child starts Bridgewater we ask you to sign a home
school agreement, together with your child and their Teacher.
This sets out what we can expect from each other and how we
will work together to give your child the best start possible.
Parental help in school is welcome. Please ask your child’s
Teacher if you would like to come in and help with cooking,
craftwork, reading – or anything else! Please let us know if you
have a special skill or interest you would be prepared to share
with us.
Parents have easy access to Teachers at the beginning and
end of each school day. If you want to talk in private or at some
length, please make an appointment with the Teacher for another
time.
The school has three formal parent consultations afternoons
during the year. Parents are invited to attend these to discuss
their child’s progress. These parent afternoons take place in
October/November, February/March and July.
If you are worried about some aspect of your child’s life at
school, Teachers will be happy to give you time to talk about it.
If, after speaking to the Teacher you are still concerned, please
arrange to see the HeadTeacher. She will see you without an
appointment if she can, but please understand that all members
of staff have other commitments and you may have to make an
appointment at a mutually convenient time.
Our aim is to work with you to provide your children with the best
possible education. Together we can make a real difference to
their future and the future of the community. Thank you for your
support.
6

Punctuality And Attendance
School start and finish times vary depending on the year group
your child is in. Specific times and designated pick up points will
be communicated to parents / carers at the start of each new
academic year. Start and finish times can also be found on our
website at https://www.bridgewater.newcastle.sch.uk/our-school/
opening-closing-times/
It is important your child arrives on time for school every day.
Breakfast Club is available from 8am. Please contact the school
office for more details.
The school day finishes at different times on different days for
different year groups. Specific times and designated pick up
points will be communicated to parents / carers at the start of
each new academic year.
Children who are over 8 years old can walk home alone provided
parents have signed a letter giving permission. Letters go out the
first week of a new academic year.
It is important that we know who will collect your child. Please let
us know if someone different is going to pick up your child(ren),
or if there is someone whom you do NOT want to collect your
child(ren). If you need to take a child out of school early, you
must go to the school office to get a release form signed by
the Headteacher. We are not allowed to let children out of
school early by themselves. Please arrange doctor and dentist
appointments out of school hours. If this is not possible then you
must bring the appointment card with you to get your child out of
school early.
If your child is absent or late for any reason, please contact
school and tell us why. If you do not contact school we will ring
you. If we are unable to contact you a member of staff will visit
you at home. Persistent absence may result in legal action.
If you are going to be late collecting your children from school for
any reason, please get in touch. The school telephone number is
0191 274 5290 – please write it down and keep it with you. There
may be a charge for late pick-ups.
7

Clothing
In common with many Primary Schools we have a school
uniform.
Boys
Nursery - Year 5 Year 6
Winter and Summer
Black or grey trousers
Yellow polo shirt
Blue sweatshirt
Black shoes or trainers
Summer Alternative
Black or grey shorts
Girls
Winter and Summer
Black or grey trousers
White polo shirt
Nursery - Year 5 Year 6
Winter And Summer
Black or grey skirt, culottes,
pinafore or trousers
Yellow polo shirt
Blue sweatshirt
Black shoes or trainers
Summer Alternative
Blue & white or lemon &
white dress
Dark grey jumper
Black shoes or trainers
Summer Alternative
Black or grey shorts
Winter and Summer
Black or grey skirt, culottes,
pinafore or trousers
White polo shirt
Dark grey jumper or cardigan
Black shoes or trainers
Summer Alternative
Blue & white or lemon & white
dress
In addition waterproof coats and fleeces with the school logo on
can be purchased from the school office.
We want our Uniform Policy to include everyone and have
arranged for a choice of clothing within a limited colour range.
We want the children to feel comfortable and smart and to know
that they are part of our school. We will get the best price we can
for embroidered clothing ordered through the school, but you are
not obliged to buy clothes from us. Local supermarkets sell all of
the items at low prices.
Most of the activities young children
enjoy will be messy at times. We do
provide overalls but it is sensible to
send your child in clothes which are
easy to wash.
It is important that children can
recognise their own clothes and all
clothes should be clearly marked
with your child’s name. Your child
should wear clothes, which they
can take off and put on themselves,
especially those which they need to
remove to go to the toilet.
Children are supplied with a school
PE kit which is kept at school in a
named bag. Children in Year 4 and
5 will also need to bring a swimming
costume and towel once a week for
their swimming lesson.
If it is necessary for your child to
borrow clothing or towels from
school, please wash and return
these promptly.
Items of jewellery are worn at the
child’s own risk and no responsibility
can be accepted for their
safekeeping. The Governors do not
accept any responsibility for items of
personal property brought to school.
We do not encourage children to
bring toys from home except on
special occasions as they may get
lost, broken or taken. Toy guns and
similar weapons must not be brought
to school.
Please note that we also offer,
subject to availability, previously
owned uniform. Please contact the
school office for more details.
8

Behaviour In School
‘Our school aims
to encourage the
children to develop
fully intellectually,
emotionally,
spiritually and
morally. We believe
that this is best
achieved in a safe,
happy, caring
environment based
on mutual trust. ’
All parents get a copy of our Behaviour Booklet to read with their
children. We hope that you will talk to them about it and what it
means.
Our school aims to encourage the children to develop fully
intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and morally. We believe
that this is best achieved in a safe, happy, caring environment
based on mutual trust. Children have the right to learn in
this atmosphere and should not be disrupted by others’ bad
behaviour. Our emphasis is on a positive approach. We actively
encourage and reward good behaviour with praise, applause,
stickers and certificates. There are times, however, when
children do not behave as they should and we have various
sanctions to discourage this.
There is a connection between action and consequence. A small
misdemeanour brings a minor sanction. A great or repeated
misdemeanour brings a more serious sanction. Discipline in
school is firm, but fair and consistent.
We take the view that children MUST NOT hurt each other on
purpose for any reason, even in play. We hope that the children
will learn to give as well as take; to respect the rights of others
and play fair. We try to foster self-control, self-respect and
concern and respect for the needs of others.
As adults we must show the children that we respect each other
regardless of gender, race, class or cultural differences in our
way of life. We are supported in this by our own and Newcastle
City Council’s Equality policy and National Legislation.
Child Protection Statement
We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard
and promote the welfare of all pupils. We endeavour to provide a
safe and welcoming environment where children are respected
and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and
follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective
support and protection
If you would like to see a copy of our Safeguarding and Child
Protection Policy please contact the school office.
9

Curriculum
Our curriculum model is influenced by research and in particular
the work of Rosenshine, David Leat, Dylan William, Rob Coe
and the Education Endowment Foundation. We have structured
a knowledge rich curriculum which is taught explicitly and then
used in enquiry based learning projects.
Our curriculum is efficient, inspiring and promotes aspiration,
comes with excitement, creativity and provokes inner drive.
Subsequently, children will leave us well prepared for their next
stage in education.
For further information regarding our Curriculum Intent and
Curriculum Drivers, please visit https://www.bridgewater.
newcastle.sch.uk/curriculum/curriculum-statment/ or request
a printed copy from the school office.
Please ask at school if you would like more information about
any aspect of the curriculum. Each year groups’ curriculum map
is available on our website or ask for a copy at the office. Each
term your child will bring home a parent pamphlet which explains
what they will be learning that term.
10

School Dinners
When your child is settled in school, they may stay during school
dinner times. Dinner times are staggered between 11.30am and
1pm. Your child may stay for a cooked two-course meal, they
may bring a packed lunch or they may go home.
If you think you may be entitled to free school meals please ask
at the school office for a form. Once you have completed the
form return it to the office and they will forward it to the Civic
Centre for processing. From September 2014 all children in
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive a free school meal.
All dinner money for the week must come to school on Mondays
in a named container or envelope. We need to know on a
Monday whether your child will have school dinners or packed
lunches for the rest of the week. Dinner is eaten in the school
hall in separate sittings with the youngest children eating first.
Fruit
We try to encourage our children to eat healthily. Reception and
Key Stage 1 children are entitled to a free piece of fruit every day
under the School Fruit Scheme. Key Stage 2 children are also
provided with a FREE piece of fruit every day, with the cost being
covered by the school. No sweets are allowed in school, except
for something very special, like a birthday. If you do send in a
treat for the children, please make sure that there is enough for
every child in the class.
Milk
Milk is provided FREE to all of our children. A carton of milk is
given daily to each child. The cost is covered by the school.
11

Homework
We ask parents to enter into an agreement to hear their children
read at home for 5–10 minutes, two or three times a week.
Parents will be asked to attend a meeting soon after their child
starts school to find out about our Home School Reading Policy
and the methods we use to help children learn to read, as well as
other important information which is written in a parent pamphlet.
Please encourage your children to return their reading books to
school regularly. You will also be asked to supervise and help
with other kinds of homework. Your child’s Teacher will arrange
this with you.
Transfer To Secondary
School
In the September after they are eleven, the children transfer to
secondary school. We want to make this as smooth and easy
for them as possible. Visits are arranged so that the children can
meet their new Teachers and find their way around their new
school. Parents can choose whichever secondary school they
want for their children. We often take part in joint projects with
the Academy and other Secondary Schools to make transfer as
positive as possible for the children.
12

Assemblies
Assemblies are held every day and are non-denominational.
They may take place in the classroom or school hall. There
is a Key Stage assembly every week and a whole school
assembly every week. They play an important role in developing
a community feeling. They are concerned mainly with the
development of attitudes and relationships and the rights and
responsibilities of being a member of society. We sometimes
have visitors in our assemblies who share important messages.
Once every week, one or two children from every class receive
a Certificate of Achievement at our Achievers Assembly. These
are presented for good work, good behaviour or sustained
effort. Each class presents a Class Assembly once a year.
Parents, carers, brothers, sisters and friends are welcome to
attend all these assemblies. We have an annual attendance
and achievement assembly to celebrate these areas, which
Governors and Parents attend. We also have a leavers assembly
for our Year 6 children.
If parents wish, their children can be excused from religious
education at school. They should write to the HeadTeacher with
this request and with any request for their child to be absent from
school during the day to receive particular religious instruction.
Sex Education
Until the final year here, there are no formal sex education
lessons. Parents are informed of the content of these at the
time. In the early years, Teachers use their discretion to answer
children’s questions honestly. If you wish to inspect our policy on
sex education, please speak to the HeadTeacher.
‘Once every week, one or two
children from every class receive a
Certificate of Achievement at our
Achievers Assembly.’
13

Educational Visits
It is our policy to encourage children to observe and investigate
the local natural and man-made environment. When children are
admitted to school, parents are asked to sign a consent form
which gives permission for members of staff to take their children
off school premises for short visits. We take all reasonable
care of the children on these visits and have as many adults as
required to supervise the children.
If we go further afield, parents will be notified in advance. While
parents must not be charged for activities, which take place
during school hours, we do ask you to contribute towards the
cost. We look for the cheapest and safest way to travel and
parents may make contributions in instalments if they find this
easier. No child is excluded from taking part in any activity
because their parents do not pay, but we get no additional money
to pay for trips and if we do not receive enough contributions to
pay for them, then it is not possible for these activities to take
place.
Some of the trips and visits which your child may have the
opportunity to go on include:
• London (Key Stage 2)
• Beamish
• Local farms
• Castle Keep
• Hadrian’s Wall
• Outdoor Activity Centre (Year 3, 4 and 5)
• Lightwater Valley (Year 6)
• Residential (Year 6)
• Plus many, many more!
‘It is our policy to
encourage children
to observe and
investigate the local
natural and man-made
environment.’
14

Health
While your child is at school the following checks take place:
1. Hearing in Reception
2. Height and weight in Reception
3. Height and weight in Year 6
Children in all year groups will be offered a flu vaccine each
year (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fluvaccination-in-schools).
We have access to our own School Nurse so referrals can be
made if parents / carers have a concern. Please contact us for
more details.
The School Nurse no longer comes in to inspect the children for
head lice. If head lice or nits are noticed, then all the children in
the class will get a letter asking parents to check their children’s
hair and treat any lice which they find. We will have a private
word with the parents / carers of the child concerned and discuss
treatment options. We will also check when the children return to
school to help stop lice spreading.
If your child is ill you should let the school know as soon as
possible.
We can arrange for your child to take medicine at school if it has
been prescribed to be taken during the school day by a doctor
(with a meal or 4 or more times a day).
We can keep emergency treatment for children with chronic
conditions. This will be documented in a health plan which will be
written in school with you as the carer and a member of staff.
It is essential that you keep us informed of your current address
and telephone number so that we can get in touch with you if
your child becomes ill or has an accident at school. We will also
need the address and telephone number of a friend or relative to
contact if you are not available.
15

This booklet has been written to provide you
with information about the school. If you are
unclear about anything or if you want to know
anything more, please just ask your child’s
Teacher or come to the school office.
Further information can also be found on our
website, www.bridgewater.newcastle.sch.uk
‘In 2013 the school was
inspected by OFSTED
and judged Outstanding in
every area.’
Bridgewater School
Delaval Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 6NL
Tel: 0191 274 5290
www.bridgewater.newcastle.sch.uk