image of climbing wall

Table of Contents


Welcome to Brightlingsea Infant School
Visits to the School
Aims of the School
Home-School Relationships

School Organisation

Admissions Policy
Transfer to Junior School

Teaching and Learning

Key Stage One 2006 results

Welcome to Brightlingsea Infants School

We are very pleased to welcome you and your child to our school community. We have a strong emphasis on developing positive partnerships with parents/carers and children in order to extend children’s learning and experiences in school.

Our school places high priority on teaching the whole child. We know that children learn best if they are part of a stimulating and happy environment where academic skills are developed alongside social, physical and emotional skills. Play forms an important part of children’s early learning and we structure their play to help them develop their language, social skills and understanding of the world.

The external space around the school allows us to be creative in developing a child friendly play space. Quiet, ball game, and shaded areas allow children to find a suitable area to enhance their activity and imagination. Our Foundation Stage Play Area enables children to enjoy a continuous learning environment both inside and outside the classroom.

Brightlingsea Infant School shares its site with Brightlingsea Junior School. The Infant School building opened in 1967 and consists of seven classrooms in the main building and three re-locatable classrooms situated near the playground area.

Visitstop

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and can be arranged with Julia Hunt, our Head-teacher.  During the visit you will be able to see the school ‘in action’ and ask any questions you may have.

AIMS OF THE SCHOOLtop

  • We believe that every member of our community has a vital part to play in our children’s educational future.
  • We will nurture a child’s desire for learning through a child-centred approach within a broad and creative curriculum.
  • We will encourage the development of the whole child to prepare them for their role as citizens of the future.

At Brightlingsea Infant School, we aim to provide a broad, balanced and creative curriculum which challenges children’s knowledge, skills, attitudes and understanding within a positive, secure and healthy environment.

We will:

  • Nurture a desire for learning;
  • Develop children’s awareness of the value of themselves and others;
  • Foster creative, imaginative and enquiring minds;
  • Take a child-centred approach to all our work;
  • Celebrate similarities and difference in and beyond our community;
  • Develop effective and confident communicators;
  • Be inclusive in our approach, seeking to meet the needs of all children;
  • Work with all partners within the community;
  • Involve children in the planning and evaluation of their own learning.

Home School Relationshipstop

We believe that children learn best if both school and home work together in partnership. Before starting school, children have gained an enormous amount of skills, knowledge and understanding about the world in which they live, from people closest to them. We want to continue this learning by ensuring positive partnerships with parents and carers, supporting each other in the future learning of our children. One way we can both ensure your child benefits from home and school working together is by signing our home-school agreement which we ask each parent to sign on entry to school.

The Governors and Staff believe that informed parents are able to support their children’s learning more effectively. We have a strong commitment to ensure that our policies and procedures are transparent to parents. We are also aware that the type of language we use, along with the procedures and policies schools have, often prevent parents understanding how schools work and what they can do to support their children. We are always looking for ways to improve the way in which we communicate with parents and carers. If you have any comments or suggestions please let us know.

Parents are encouraged to find out about how our school works and how they can support their children’s learning at home by:

  • Attending our information evening for new reception children. Parents of new children are invited to a meeting to tell them more about the school and to give them an opportunity to ask questions. A crèche is available for your children.
  • Attending our Activity Day. A few weeks before entry you and your child will be invited to an activity session to give both of you the opportunity to meet the foundation stage staff and find out more about what your children will be learning.
  • Attending our Workshop sessions. Last year many parents participated in our reading, writing, maths and SATs workshops. We are hoping to extend this again next year.
  • Supporting our themed early morning ‘Stay and Play’ sessions including early morning reading and maths activities.
  • Help in School. We welcome the help of parents or carers and grandparents. Please let us know if you can help in anyway in school. Last year parents helped with classroom activities, organising our reading books and with gardening projects. Names of all helpers are checked by the Police to ensure the safety of all children.
  • Attending our ‘Show and Share’ sessions. There are frequent opportunities to share your child’s work in school. You will receive an invitation to come in to your child’s class once every half term before the end of the day. You will be able to share your child’s work with them and even add your own positive comments. The class teacher will be available during these times to talk about your child’s progress.
  • Attending special sessions or days relating to our topics, for example class assemblies and sports day.
  • Attending our parent/carer teacher sessions. During the year in the Autumn and Spring Term parent/carer teacher sessions are organised for you to find out in detail about the progress of your child.
  • Reading your child’s annual report. A written report is provided at the end of the Summer Term, summarising your child’s learning in the year and also highlighting the next steps in their learning next year.
  • Reading our ‘Policy Shorts’. As policies are revised we are developing short, easy to understand versions of the school policies. Full school policy documents will still be available for parents to read. Large print and taped versions of the policies will also be available for people who may have difficulty accessing these policies.

We are always pleased to discuss anything which concerns your child’s education and well-being. Class teachers are usually available after 3.10 pm. If you wish to discuss anything with the Deputy Head-teacher or Head-teacher, please make an appointment or come into school.