WELCOME TO

John Bramston Primary School

Thank you for taking the time to read our prospectus. It contains a great deal of
valuable information and will give you an insight into the school, the things we
value and consider to be our priorities.

We hope that you will find it useful and that you will keep it as a point of
reference for the future

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Our aims at John Bramston are:

• To set and promote the highest standards of teaching, learning, progress

and achievement

• To promote equality and appreciation of diversity

• To promote and achieve the highest standards of behaviour

• To encourage safe, active and happy play

• To develop independence and creativity

• To provide a healthy, safe and happy environment

• To develop positive links with parents and the local wider community

• To reflect these aims in day to day practice

Our core values are:

Aspiration and Achievement

Excellence and Enjoyment

Respect and Responsibility

We believe that children can develop responsibility, with respect for themselves
and each other, thus creating a community that has values and attitudes that will
stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

We hope that children will learn a great deal whilst they are with us, that they
are happy and that they learn to enjoy learning.

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 Become successful
Develop the skills, knowledge and
citizens
understanding within a broad and
stimulating curriculum

Learn how to learn in a

variety of ways and will Work co-operatively
Learn how to deal
enjoy learning as well as work
with a variety of
independently
situations

Enjoy school
Become life-long
learners

Know the importance of

having a healthy lifestyle

Value attainment

Accept and respond to

challenges

Learn about Know their own

communities – locally, strengths and the areas
nationally and to develop
globally Welcome, respect, value and
know about the cultures,
languages, special needs, faiths
and experiences of others

ADMISSIONS POLICY AND

PROCEDURE
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What do I do if I want my child to attend your
nursery class?
Applications should be made direct to the
school. Admissions to community school
nursery classes will be considered as follows:
1. “looked after” children that is,
children in public care
2. four year old siblings, with
preference to older children
3. four year old children with preference
to older children
4. three year old siblings, with
preference to older children
5. three year old children with
preference to older children
If you do not get a place at our Nursery, there
is no right of appeal against the Authority’s
decision.
Our school Admissions Officer will be
pleased to offer advice and further
information on how to apply for a place at
our school.
If your child gets a place in our nursery it
does not guarantee that s/he will have a
place in the school. You will need to apply
again for admission to a reception class. If
your child does not attend nursery, or has
a place in another early years setting this
will not affect his/her chance when
applying for school admissions.
When should I apply for my child to start
school?
Every primary school has a size based on the
admission number. This is the agreed and
planned number of pupils in the year group
that can be safely and comfortably fitted into
the school. The published admission number
for each primary school is shown at the back
of the Primary School Admission booklet.
You can ask for up to three Redbridge
community schools, giving your reasons.
Each school you have asked for will be
considered equally. If there are more
applications than places available, the
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following criteria will be used in priority
order to decide how places will be allocated:
• “looked after” children, that is
children in public care
• Children where it is agreed that it is
essential they be admitted to the
school on exceptional medical or
psychological grounds (such requests
for a particular school, based on the
serious medical or psychological
condition of the child, must be
supported by a qualified professional
adviser for observations before any
decision is made)
• Children with siblings who are
already on roll at the school and will
still be on roll when the child is
admitted, and
• Children living nearest to the school
as measured by the shortest walking
distance as measured by a
Geographic Information System from
the child’s home to the main entrance
of the school using public roads and
recognised footpaths
Within each category, the shortest
measured walking distance from the
child’s home to school, using public
roads and footpaths, is used to give
priority to applicants. Confirmations of
placements are given in mid-June.
 project or target based. When your child
is given their homework, please feel free
to discuss it with the class teacher.
PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILIES
• Being available in the playground
At John Bramston Primary we are eager
before school and available for
to develop your child’s education through
consultation at the end of the school day.
partnership. We consider the partners to
If you have any concerns, we would
be the school, the Governors, the staff,
encourage you to talk to the class teacher
the families and, of course, the children
as we prefer to deal with issues when
themselves. To this end, Families are
they are small rather than allowing them
welcomed into the school in many ways
to grow out of proportion. Teachers are
and feedback is always welcome. We
available in class daily at 8.55 a.m. and
know that this feedback will help us to
after school from 3.40 p.m. for informal
make further improvements and to know
chats. To arrange a more formal
what we do well.
appointment, please contact the school
office. Letters and e-mails can also be an
We endeavour to work closely with
effective communication tool, especially
families by;
if you are not able to access school
during the day or would prefer your
• Holding an Autumn Term class
concern to be kept away from your child.
talk.
Please note – teachers are very busy at
• Sending termly curriculum all times, but especially so at 9.05 a.m.
overviews home, detailing the learning when they are organising their class
objectives for the term ahead. for the start of learning.
• Holding Parents Evenings in the • Sending fortnightly newsletters
Autumn and Spring Terms in which you home. The newsletter is one of our
will be given time to meet with the class most direct forms of communication
teacher and discuss your child’s progress. and features school life.
In the Summer term all families are given
a written report of their pupil’s progress
Text messaging parents.
and achievement across all subjects for
that academic year. Families are invited
to an open afternoon to share their
children’s work. We know that a child whose
school and home work closely
• Encouraging you to work in together towards a mutual goal
classrooms and assist with a variety of learns best.
activities, either regularly or on a one off
basis, e.g. class trips etc. All volunteers
will need to be police checked prior to
starting in school.

• Issuing a school reading diary.

This allows for weekly or fortnightly
communication between you and the
teacher, depending on your child’s age
group.

• Giving weekly and termly

homework tasks – some of which are

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 Your Your
Family child

The
School

What would happen if one side

of the triangle wasn’t there?

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 SCHOOL ORGANISATION

John Bramston Primary is a Redbridge School for boys and girls from the age of three to eleven. It is a one-
storey building with 14 classrooms, a group room, a cookery room, an inclusion room, an ICT suite and a
hall. We are very fortunate in having extensive grounds including hard surface play areas, soft surface play
areas, a large field and conservation areas.

The Nursery has two sessions of 26 pupils each. School classes have up to 30 pupils.

The School Day

School Starts Morning Break Lunchtime KS1 Lunchtime KS2 School ends
09:05 10:40 - 10:55 12:15 - 13:15 12:30 – 13:30 15:30

The playground is open from 08:50 Three members of staff supervise from 08.55

Attendance

Regulations on attendance require us to record any unauthorised absence. Regular attendance is essential –
the Governing Body is concerned that absence is kept to the absolute minimum. Authorised absence is
defined as:-

• Sickness or unavoidable cause

• Religious observance

If your child is ill or absent from school for any reason please telephone the school on the day of each
intended absence. If no explanation is forthcoming, or if school considers that the reason given is not
sufficient to justify non-attendance, then the absence is unauthorised. This is noted on the child’s report and
all absences are reported to the Department for Education and Skills annually.

Absence

We strongly encourage annual holidays to be taken out of term time. Leave of absence taken during
term time should only be based on exceptional circumstances.
PLEASE NOTE:–

• YOUR CHILD IS AT RISK OF LOSING HIS/HER PLACE IF YOU TAKE HIM/HER OUT OF SCHOOL
DURING TERM TIME

• PARENTS WHO DO NOT BRING THEIR CHILD TO SCHOOL REGULARLY ARE AT RISK OF COURT
ACTION

• YOU WILL RECEIVE A FINE OF £100 IF HOLIDAY LEAVE IS TAKEN WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF
THE HEADTEACHER

• IF YOUR CHILD IS LATE FOR SCHOOL ON 7 OR MORE OCCASIONS PER HALF TERM YOU WILL
RECEIVE A FINE OF £100

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.
School Uniform
At John Bramston we believe that a school
uniform encourages a sense of pride in the
school and an appropriate attitude in the
children’s mind for the daily work. It also
discourages peer pressure in regard to fashions
and the emotional and financial implications that
we prefer to avoid. The uniform is as follows:
• Black/grey trousers/skirt
• White polo-shirt (unisex)
• Red cardigan/jumper/fleece (unisex)
• Red gingham dress (for girls)
Please note that jewellery is NOT part of school
uniform and only watches should be worn.
Children wearing jewellery will be asked to
remove it and it will be held in the school safe
until collected by an adult at their convenience.
This rule is in place to protect children in terms
of health and safety not only in PE lessons but
also during play sessions. It also reduces the risk
of loss or theft. The only exception to this rule is
the wearing of jewellery for religious
observance. However, children will still be asked
to remove the item for PE sessions.
Mobile phones should not be brought into school
under any circumstances.
The school does not accept the responsibility for
loss of items brought to school by the pupil.
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School Meals
The school meals are transported from Coppice
Primary School where they are cooked on site.
Please note:-
• The cost is £1.95
• All money is collected on a MONDAY.
• Cheques should be made payable to the
London Borough of Redbridge.
• Money should be brought into school in a
sealed envelope, marked clearly with
your child’s name, class and the amount
enclosed.
• School dinners have to be ordered by
9.30 a.m – if you know you are going to
be late, please contact the school office
before this time so that a lunch can be
ordered.
• PLEASE ASK THE EDUCATION
OFFICE IF YOU THINK YOU ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR FREE SCHOOL
MEALS
Children may bring their own packed lunch and
drink (water or juice only) but please ensure
their food and drink is in a suitable container,
clearly named.
Children do sometimes forget their packed lunch
or get confused about whether they are staying
for lunch – please do not worry, we will not
allow them to go without. A school lunch will be
provided for them if we cannot contact you.
Children also have the option of going home for
lunch. They need to be collected from the school
office at 12.15 for Key Stage 1 or 12.30 for Key
Stage 2. They should return 5 minutes before the
start of their afternoon session.
Security/Safety
The school has a robust Security Policy. We
have a coded security entrance to the rear of the
school – access can only be gained with the
express prior permission of the school office
staff.
Your help is much appreciated in only entering
the school building by the main entrance and by
ensuring gates to school grounds are closed each
time you enter and exit the school grounds.
We believe that all parents and visitors to the
school should behave in a calm, respectful
manner and serve as good role models to our
children.
The school fosters very effective links with the
Safer Neighbourhood Police and works closely
to ensure community cohesion.
PASTORAL CARE
Our community
We are a school of many abilities, cultures,
backgrounds and languages. This gives us the
opportunity to learn about and respect the
customs of our friends and neighbours. Mutual
respect and understanding are values we think
are highly important.
At John Bramston we are wholeheartedly
committed to promoting positive attitudes
towards all and actively challenge racism and
prejudice through our day to day work. In line
with the Race Amendment Act 2000, the school
has a policy for Race Equality. All racist
incidents are recorded and reported to the Local
Authority. Monitoring of such incidents is
carried out regularly, so that perpetrators can be
dealt with appropriately.
Behaviour
We believe that children thrive on praise and
encouragement. Our approach is based,
therefore, on positive reinforcement and
assertive behaviour. We recognise children’s
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achievement publicly, formally and informally;
ranging from a nod or a smile through to a
certificate being presented in assembly and sent
home.
Rest assured that sanctions are supplied when
necessary – these are appropriate to the
misdemeanour and are preceded by a discussion
about the inappropriateness of such behaviour. A
‘Time Out’ and Behaviour Reflection System
(Detention) is used consistently throughout the
school in addition to non-acceptance of
disruptive and/or aggressive behaviour. If the
school has concerns regarding any child’s
behaviour, parents will be contacted at the
earliest opportunity.
Child Protection
In line with National and Local Guidance, the
school has a policy for Child Protection. The
child protection lead teacher is Mrs Kaur
(Assistant Headteacher) and the Deputy Child
Protection leader is Miss Jennings
(Headteacher). If the school has concerns about
the wellbeing of a child, procedures agreed by
the borough Children’s Services will be
followed. These include working with Social
Services.
Medical Provision
• We have 6 qualified First Aiders in
school. There is a medical area in school
where children can rest if they feel
unwell. If they are obviously not going to
improve then families are contacted.
• It is important that we have up-to-date
contact details and a back up number
in case of an emergency.
 • Medicines should NOT be brought into
school.
• All inhalers should be labelled and the
relevant documentation completed.
• The school must be notified if your child
suffers from a chronic condition or
allergy.
• If your child receives a knock to his/her
head, no matter how minor, you will be
notified either by a phone call or letter.
• Any child with specific medical
condition will have a protocol agreed
between home, school and the school
nurse.
• Any child receiving medical attention, no
matter how minor, receives a First Aid
sticker.
• All accidents are tracked and monitored.
Parking
Please park well away from school entrances
when bringing or collecting children. There is a
parent car park in Dryden Close. Under no
circumstances must parents block any of the
school emergency access gates.
Please park safely and with due consideration for
other road users and our neighbours.
GOVERNING BODY
Membership
There are 15 members of the Governing Body, 5
of which are Parent Governors. A term of office
is 4 years and an election is held within school if
there is more than one candidate. All parents
with children in the school have the right to
become a member of the Governing Body when
a vacancy arises. Details about the role and
responsibilities of Governors are available from
the school office.
The Chair of the Governing Body is Neill
Pickering and the Vice-Chair is Alex MacNeill.
There are two sub-committees; Standards
Monitoring and Finance and Personnel.
The Governing Body reports to parents through
the school profile annually. The Governing Body
looks forward to discussing this and/or any
associated issues with you in the Autumn terms
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and warmly invite you to make contact with
them.
School visits, activities etc
In the 1988 Education Reform Act, the
Government established that:
1. Activities offered during normal teaching
times should be available to all children
regardless of their parent’s ability or
willingness to meet the cost.
2. Schools and LEAs have the discretion to
charge for optional activities out of
school hours.
3. Schools and LEAs have the right to invite
voluntary contributions for the benefit of
the school, or in support of activities
organised by the school, whether during
or outside school hours.
No child can, therefore, be refused a place on an
educational trip or activity because their parents
cannot or will not pay for it. However, without
voluntary contributions it will clearly be
impossible for school to continue running
educational visits and journeys. We feel that
such visits provide first hand experience which is
a vital aspect of primary education.
The Governing Body has agreed to make charges
where it is legal to do so, (e.g. for music tuition
and for board and lodgings on residential trips)
and to ask for voluntary contributions from
parents to help pay for visits, cookery
ingredients, technology equipment and visitors.
The Governors, however, reserve the right to
waive or reduce charges, at their discretion, on
the basis of parental needs and/or socio-
economic factors. A copy of the school Charging
Policy is attached.
Complaints
Should occasion arise when you feel you have a
complaint about school matters this should in the
first instance be brought to the attention of the
class teacher and if unresolved, to a senior
member of staff and then the Headteacher. If you
feel that your complaint is still not satisfactorily
resolved the matter should then be referred to the
Chair of the Governing Body.
If you wish to contact a member of the
Governing Body, the school office can provide
you with the necessary information.
The school has a procedure for dealing with
complaints. This is based on Redbridge
Guidelines and has been approved by Governors.
Details of this can be obtained from the school
office.

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THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
EVERY CHILD MATTERS
Following the tragic death of Victoria Climbié, a
young girl abused and murdered by her great
aunt and the man with whom they lived, the
Government published a green paper called
’Every Child Matters’. This green paper
demands that all organisations that provide
services for children work together in a more
integrated and efficient way.
At John Bramston, we have recently reviewed
the curriculum in order to ensure that it provides
opportunities for creativity and enjoyment, and
meets the requirement of the ‘Every Child
Matters’ outcomes in order to ensure that all
children, including the most vulnerable, achieve
their potential and are supported by relevant
agencies such as social services, health workers,
etc.
The five outcomes are:
1. Be Healthy
2. Stay Safe
3. Enjoy and Achieve
4. Make a positive contribution
5. Achieve economic well-being
The National Curriculum
We ensure that all our pupils gain full access to
the National Curriculum through rigorous
planning and implementation. The core skills of
Reading, Writing and Numeracy are given great
emphasis as they underpin all other areas of
learning. We are concerned that all children
develop their ability to find things out for
themselves through investigation, individually
and as a group.
Documents are available in school giving details
of each curriculum area.
Special Educational Needs
The school has adopted the recommendations of
the Code of Practice. Harjinder Kaur is the
school’s Inclusion Leader. Children have
different needs at different times. At John
Bramston we have adopted the staged approach
of the Code of Practice to give help when and
where it is needed. We involve parents in this
process from the beginning. Any decisions made
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about the support your child will receive will be
in consultation with you.
The Creative Curriculum
At John Bramston Primary School we aim to
foster a life-long love of learning, through
adopting a highly practical and cross-curricular
approach to learning. Our Creative Curriculum
aims to deliver an education that will equip our
children with the skills required to be a happy,
confident, independent and responsible citizen.
We aim to deliver this through:
• Embedding ECM through
teaching units on hygiene,
community, finance and
citizenship.
• Developing a sense of community
and belonging, contributing to our
community through direct
interaction – making links with
local organisations.
• Equipping children with skills for
life, through practical work.
• Providing opportunities for
children to broaden their outlook
on life.
• Making learning more
meaningful, through putting it
into context.
• Holding a flexible timetabling
approach to make space for true
depth of study.
• Establishing cross-curricular links
to foster a broader understanding.
• To build on their achievements.
The Arts and Sports
The creative arts are given attention within
school. Children really enjoy art, drama and
dance – through these children can learn a great
deal about themselves, the world in which we
live and why things happen. We, therefore,
regularly create opportunities for children to
learn this way.
The development of physical skills is equally
important. The children have the chance to
develop their sporting skills in a variety of ways
within the school curriculum and a range of
clubs.

English
This consists of three elements:
1. Speaking and Listening
2. Reading
3. Writing (including Spelling and
Handwriting)
These elements are developed through formal
lessons and cross-curricular themes. Children
have a daily lesson devoted to Literacy as set out
in the National Literacy Strategy.
Speaking and Listening
The ability to communicate orally is
fundamental to the English curriculum. It is
essential that children learn to express
themselves clearly and articulately in a wide
variety of situations. In order to do this we plan
and encourage the children to take part in quality
learning activities.
They will be involved in educational drama,
group discussions, class discussions, circle time
and collaborative learning tasks.
The ability to succeed in these activities depends
very much on the children’s ability to listen.
They will be encouraged and taught to listen
attentively in all these processes.
Talk is the key to learning in all areas of
school life.
Reading
Our aim is to teach children to read
independently and to develop their enthusiasm
for books; both fiction and non-fiction.
We employ a mixed approach to teaching
reading not relying on any one particular set of
ideas. All children learn to read differently. We,
therefore, need to be flexible in our approach.
Fundamental to this is the provision of high
quality reading materials whether they are
reading scheme materials or ‘real’ books. We are
currently in the process of reviewing and up-
dating all our reading stock. This is vital in
meeting our aim, which is to have children who
want to read, choose to read and will read for
life.
Each child has a home reading diary and we
invite you to write in this daily/weekly. This is
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useful in terms of positively encouraging
children whilst also ensuring open lines of
communication between home and school.
Writing
We wish children to view themselves as writers
from the beginning. We create as many real
purposes for writing as possible. We encourage
free writing whilst also teaching the skills
required in a systematic and thorough manner.
Handwriting is taught formally in all classes
from Reception using a joined up style. When
they are ready, children are asked to use ink
pens. Spelling is also taught systematically. Your
help is vital in this area. It forms part of your
child’s homework.
Mathematics
There is a daily maths session from Reception to
Year 6. We aim to enable children to think
clearly and logically, to develop mathematical
skills and knowledge and to become more aware
of patterns and relationships. We develop these
in order to build up strategies to be used in
mental calculations.
Science
This is taught through thematic work and
scientific investigation.
We aim to develop your child’s scientific skills
through practical tasks that involve questioning,
planning, observation, recording results and
drawing conclusions.
Art
Art enables children to express themselves
creatively by using various mediums in different
contexts. During your child’s time at John
Bramston. s/he will have the opportunity to
develop their own skills in all the areas defined
by the National Curriculum.
We aim to introduce children to the work of
artists; both local, national and international,
covering a range of cultures and traditions.
Music
Children are given the opportunity to develop
their musical skills and knowledge in a variety of
ways. They are involved in listening, composing,
performing and appraising their own music and
that of others.
We have a range of tuned and untuned
percussion instruments that all the children use.
There is a school choir that participates in
concerts both in and outside school. Redbridge
Music Service provides tuition in school for
strings, woodwind and brass. If you want your
child to learn to play a musical instrument,
please come and talk to us and we can provide
you with information on how to access this
provision.
Physical Education
We aim to develop children’s skills and nurture
their enjoyment of physical activity both
individually and as part of a team. Many of our
clubs are sports based and we encourage parents
with specific interests and abilities to add to our
range on offer.
We have a close working partnership with both
Hainault Forest High and Caterham High
School, which has provided us with gymnastics,
netball, indoor athletics, cricket and football.
Information Technology/E-Safety
Children are introduced to the computer from the
nursery. We have an ICT suite with over 15
computers. From Reception onwards children
have a minimum of 1 session per week in this
room. There is a carefully planned scheme of
work so that coverage of the key skills is ensured
across other curriculum areas. We also have 1
computer in each class. The school is networked;
enabling pupils and staff to access information
from the internet within our security boundaries.
Children are taught how to be e-safe.
Health, Sex and Relationships Education
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There is a scheme of work covering a variety of
aspects concerned with keeping body and mind
healthy. Through a thematic approach children
are encouraged to discuss and research caring for
their own body, awareness of strangers and
feelings and emotions.
Sex and Relationships Education can be
introduced as part of the class topic work in
either lower or upper school e.g. as part of the
work of ‘Ourselves’. Informal questions will be
answered naturally as they arise.
In years 5 and 6 pupils are shown carefully
selected materials. Parents are informed and
given the opportunity to see the materials before
they are shown to the children.
Children may be withdrawn from Sex and
Relationships Education if the parent so wishes.
This must be communicated in writing and
discussed with the Headteacher beforehand.
Religious Education
The school follows the Redbridge Agreed
Syllabus 2009 – Exploration and Response. This
is an excellent scheme that is developed
throughout the school.
The main aims through RE are to promote the
spiritual, moral, social, cultural and intellectual
development of pupils and of society by
encouraging and exploration and response to
those aspects of religion and human experience,
which raise fundamental questions of belief and
value. The RE curriculum includes units of work
related to all major religions with additional
units that focus on celebration, festival and
community:
• Special times, places and events
• Lifestyle and community
• Nature and the world
• Self and others
• Expressing meaning, belief and value
• Sources of authority
• Key figures in history
Copies of the document are available in school;
please contact the school office if you would
like to see a copy.
Children may be withdrawn from Religious
Education if parents so wish. This should be
communicated in writing and discussed with the
Headteacher.
Collective Worship
 There is a daily assembly and as required by law
it is broadly in line with the teachings of the
Christian faith. We do cover the main festivals,
values, and beliefs of other cultures within this
context. We invite leaders of faith communities
to share their beliefs with us in order to broaden
the children’s understanding of the multi-faith
society in which we all live.

Extra Curricular Activities Clubs

Most school staff and outside bodies/coaches

run clubs. They vary according to staffing
workload, strengths and interests. Some clubs
are seasonal but currently include:

• Choir – Netball – Chess - Art

• Bible zone – Football - Singing
• ICT - Street Dance - Performing Arts
• Cricket – Gymnastics
•
This list is not exhaustive and further
information can be obtained from the school
office
Information about clubs run by outside
bodies/coaches who carry a charge can be
obtained from the school office.
Appropriate clothing should be worn for each
activity and as always be clearly marked with the
child’s name.
All clubs have a limit of places available and
these are allocated on a first come first served
basis following a letter to parents in early
autumn.

Collecting children from clubs

Children need to be collected from a club at the

appropriate time by an appropriate person. The
adult running the club is responsible for the
children until they are passed into the care of the
family. It is vital that children are collected on
time. A child consistently collected late will no
longer be allowed to attend.

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 John Bramston Primary School

Thank you for considering John Bramston Primary as your child’s

future school. It is an extremely important decision that you are
about to make and I hope the contents of this prospectus has gone
some way to help you to reach the decision that is correct for your
child.

Miss Amanda Jennings

Head Teacher

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