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Policies and documents

 

St John the Baptist-CMAT-Policies

At St Martha's Catholic Primary School we follow our Multi Academy Trust, St John the Baptist for several of our policies.

A complete list of St John the Baptists CMAT policies, which includes the complaints policy, E-safety, whistle-blowing and the equalities policies can be found by clicking this link. 

If you are a parent of a child with Special Educational Needs, our complaints procedure can be found in our SEN information report.

School Improvement Development Plan - SIDP

 

 

Admissions Policy

Find attached our Admissions Policy.

 

 

 

 

 

Accessibility Plan

Aims

Schools are required under the Equality Act 2010 to have an accessibility plan. The purpose of the plan is to:

  • Increase the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the curriculum

  • Improve the physical environment of the school to enable disabled pupils to take better advantage of education, benefits, facilities and services provided

  • Improve the availability of accessible information to disabled pupils

Our school aims to treat all its pupils fairly and with respect. This involves providing access and opportunities for all pupils without discrimination of any kind.

At St Martha’s we follow our vision statement, ‘Our vision is to create a community based on Catholic faith and values where every child is empowered to be the best he or she can be, nurtured by outstanding teachers, staff and governors.’ This is embedded in all we do; allowing all children to reach their full potential. Everybody at our school endeavors to follow Catholic values to ensure all children feel welcomed and included in all we offer. These values are taught to our children from the moment they arrive at St Martha’s, so our children grow with great understanding of inclusion, equality and compassion.

The plan will be made available online on the school website, and paper copies are available upon request.

Our school is also committed to ensuring staff are trained in equality issues with reference to the Equality Act 2010, including understanding disability issues.

St Martha’s is part of St John the Baptist Multi Academy Trust. We work in partnership with them to implement this plan.

Our school’s complaints procedure covers the accessibility plan. If you have any concerns relating to accessibility in school, the complaints procedure sets out the process for raising these concerns.

We have included a range of stakeholders in the development of this accessibility plan, including, parents, staff and governors of the school, and member of St John the Baptist Multi Academy Trust.

Legislation and Guidance

This document meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 and the Department for Education (DfE) guidance for schools on the Equality Act 2010.

The Equality Act 2010 defines an individual as disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ adverse effect on their ability to undertake normal day to day activities. 

Under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice, ‘long-term’ is defined as ‘a year or more’ and ‘substantial’ is defined as ‘more than minor or trivial’. The definition includes sensory impairments such as those affecting sight or hearing, and long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and cancer.

Schools are required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for pupils with disabilities under the Equality Act 2010, to alleviate any substantial disadvantage that a disabled pupil faces in comparison with non-disabled pupils. This can include, for example, the provision of an auxiliary aid or adjustments to premises.

This policy complies with our funding agreement and articles of association.

 

Good practice at St Martha’s to promote equality and inclusion 

 

Increase access to the curriculum for pupils with a disability

  • Our school offers a differentiated curriculum for all pupils

  • We use resources tailored to the needs of pupils who require support to access the curriculum

  • Curriculum resources include examples of people with disabilities

  • Curriculum progress is tracked for all pupils, including those with a disability

  • Targets are set effectively and are appropriate for pupils with additional needs 

  • The curriculum is reviewed to ensure it meets the needs of all pupils

  • School visits and events are made accessible to all  

 

Improve and maintain access to the physical environment

 
  • We have automated doors 

  • All doorways and corridors are wide enough for wheelchair access

  • All entrances allow for wheelchair access

  • Disabled Parking bays

  • The shelves in the library are at a height suitable for wheel chair users

  • Clear signage in and around the school

  • Disabled toilet facilities

 

Improve the delivery of information to pupils with a disability

 
  • We enlarge any learning needed for children who have a visual impairment. We also offer coloured overlays to support

  • We have a specialised advisor visit our school fortnightly to advise staff on ways in which we can support children.

  • 1:1 Learning support assistants are employed to support children who need it

  • Parental support for those parents filling in forms to get additional support and funding. (From teachers, SENDCO and Parent advisor)

  • Specialised Learning Support Assistant employed to work with individual and groups of children who need extra support

  • Mental Health Champion employed to support any child who needs it.

  • Staff know some Makaton and are encouraged to use and develop their skills. Staff with more knowledge support those with less knowledge. We also teach the children this skill too.

  • We provide facilities and equipment for families as and when required.

 

Action Plan

 

Aim

Objectives

Actions to be taken

Person Responsible

Success Criteria

Increase access to the curriculum for pupils with a disability

To review our curriculum to ensure that all children are able to access it.

-To ensure the books and resources are relatable to our children with disabilities.

SLT

Subject leaders

Teachers

Do the books in our library represent children in wheelchairs and with disabilities?

Do we use resources that have pictures of children with a disability?

Increase access to the curriculum for pupils with a disability

To ensure our sporting equipment is accessible for all our children

To review our sporting equipment to ensure it suits the needs for all our children.

SLT

PE subject leader

Do we have resources suitable for the children with disabilities in our school to access the learning in their PE lessons?

Improve and maintain access to the physical environment

To continually review how children with a disability can access our site and facilities.

To assess the needs of new children as they join our school to ensure their needs are met.

SLT

Are all children able to assess all parts of our school and facilities?

Improve the delivery of information to pupils with a disability

To continually review the needs of our children

To assess the needs of new children as they join our school to ensure their needs are met.

SLT

Installation of a hearing a loop if required to ensure the most up to date system.

 

Reviewed February 2021

Next Review February 2024

 

Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policies

Below you can find the latest copy of our Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies.

Reviewed: October 2023

Next Review: October 2024

British Values Policy

Our vision is to create a community based on Catholic faith and values where every child is empowered to be the best he or she can be, nurtured by outstanding teachers, staff and governors

Promoting British Values Statement

The DFE have reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.” At St Martha’s Catholic Primary School these values are reinforced in the following ways:

Democracy:

Democracy is richly embedded within St Martha’s. Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Circle time / Greatness sessions, through The School Council, through Public Speaking, during School Assemblies and in Class through hot seating question and answer sessions . The School ethos encourages positive behaviour and good manners and respect throughout the school.

The Rule of Law:

Children are taught the value and reasons behind laws and rules, i.e class and school rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibility this involves and the consequences when rules and laws are broken. Visits from the Police, Fire Service are a regular part of our calendar events and help to reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty:

At St Martha’s pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Opportunities are provided for the children to express their preferences through voting for the School Council and other roles within the school. We educate children to make informed choices empowering them to make informed decisions. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their personal freedoms and how to employ them safely through e-safety and PSHE lessons.

Mutual Respect:

The respect of self and others is fundamental to our core values and ethos. Children take part in discussions and collective worship which emphasise respect for all and this message is reinforced through our daily interactions. Adults and children model respect for each other, age related tasks and responsibilities are integral to supporting this message.

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs:

At St Martha’s we are blessed with a culturally rich & diverse school community which provides us with unique opportunities to learn from and celebrate each other’s differences.

Charging and Remissions Policy

1. Introduction

St Martha’s Catholic primary school makes no charge for education provided for a pupil during school time, as required under the Education reform Act 1998.

2. Voluntary contributions

When organising school trips or visits which enrich the curriculum and educational experience of the children, the school invites parents to contribute to the cost of the trip. All contributions are voluntary. If we do not receive sufficient voluntary contributions, we may cancel a trip. If a trip goes ahead, it may include children whose parents have not paid any contribution. We do not treat these children differently from any others. The Governing Body has determined to adopt the LA’s advice on charging and remissions and will ensure that any letter associated with trips and visits makes it clear that any cost is a voluntary contribution and that no parent is obliged to contribute. Also that no pupil will excluded or treated differently according to whether or not a contribution has been received from his/her parent/carer.

If a parent wishes their child to take part in a school trip or event, but is unwilling or unable to make a voluntary contribution, we do allow the child to participate fully in the trip or activity. Sometimes the school pays additional costs in order to support the visit. Parents have a right to know how each trip is funded. The school provides this information on request. The following is a list of additional activities that may be organised by the school, which require voluntary contributions from parents. These activities are known as ‘optional extras’. This list is not exhaustive:

  • visits to museums and other places of educational value;
  • sporting activities which require transport expenses;
  • outdoor adventure activities;
  • visits to the theatre;
  • school trips abroad;
  • musical events.

3. Residential visits

When the school organises a residential visit in school time or mainly school time, which is to provide education directly related to the National Curriculum, a voluntary contribution is asked for towards travel expenses and the cost of museum visits etc. whilst on the trip. However, we do make a charge to cover the costs of board and lodging. Parents who receive state benefits (as outlined in the attached guidance,page 4) are exempt.

4. Subsidies

Where appropriate, the school may approach the Parish of Holy Family Church or The Friends of St Martha’s for assistance in subsidising the cost of a trip.

5. Music tuition

All children study music as part of the normal school curriculum. We do not charge for this. There is a charge for individual or group music tuition if this is not part of the National Curriculum. In line with the attached guidance from County. The peripatetic music teachers teach individual or small group lessons. At present, a charge is made by Springwood School, who provide the tuition, for the hire of instruments. Parents in receipt of state benefits are exempt from payment. We give parents information about additional music tuition at the start of each academic year.

6. Swimming

The school organises swimming lessons for all children in Key Stage 2. These take place in school time and are part of the National Curriculum. We make no charge for this activity. We inform parents when these lessons are to take place, and we ask parents for their written permission for their child to take part in swimming lessons.

7. Lettings

The Governors of St Martha’s have decided not to let the school premises in general but have agreed to look at special requests as and when they arise. When these occasions occur the governors have agreed to adopt the Norfolk LA policy on shared use. There may be occasions when local voluntary or charity groups, Scouts, Beavers etc. may wish to use the premises for activities, fund raising etc. On these occasions the governors will leave it to the headteacher’s discretion. If there is a surplus for any single activity of more than £5, the governors will offer parents the opportunity to request a refund. Any funds below this amount will be added to the School Fund account for further educational purposes.

  • The full contribution to a trip will be refunded if a child is absent due to illness.
  • If a trip has to be cancelled parental contributions will be refunded.
  • If contributions to a trip exceed the total cost a refund will be given, if excess is over £3 per child.
  • Excess income less than £3 per child will be paid into school fund account.
  • Excess of expenditure will be funded by school

Equality Policy

At St Martha's we follow St John the Baptist CMAT for many of our policies. You can find a link below that will direct you to their policies.

Equality

Equality Information and Objectives

Public Sector Equality Duty 

(The following information should be read in conjunction with the CMAT Equality & Diversity Policy)

Public Sector Equality Duty

We welcome our duties under the Equality Act 2010 to publish information that demonstrates that we have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations in relation to age (as appropriate), disability, ethnicity, gender (including issues of transgender, and of maternity and pregnancy), religion and belief and sexual identity.

We welcome our duty under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to promote community cohesion.

We recognise that these duties reflect international human rights standards as expressed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and the Human Rights Act 1998.

St Martha's Catholic Primary School is an inclusive school. We value every member of the community within a caring and supportive environment and is deeply committed to the principles of equality.

We promote positive and respectful relationships and encourage everyone to actively contribute to ensuring equality of opportunity in all aspects of school life, by the daily living out of Gospel values.

Through our policies and practices we strive to eliminate all forms of discrimination that may prevent pupils or staff form achieving their full potential.

We believe that the Equality Act provides a framework to support our strong commitment to valuing diversity, tackling discrimination, promoting equality and fostering good relationships between people. It also ensures that we continue to tackle issues of disadvantage and underachievement of different groups.

 

 

A complete list of St John the Baptists CMAT policies, which includes the complaints policy, whistle-blowing and the equalities policies can be found by clicking this link. 

 

Teaching and Learning Policy

Find attached our St Martha's Teaching and Learning Policy.

 

Medicine Policy

Find attached our policy for the procedure for administration of medicine at St Martha's.

 

 

RHSE Policy

Find attached our policy for the teaching of RHSE at St Martha's.

 

 

Whole School Policy for Safeguarding

 Role

 Name

 Contact Details

 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

 Rachel Edwards

 01553 774829

 Deputy DSL

Mairead Annely & Helen Bowman

Lucy Child (Maternity Leave)

 01553 774829

Headteacher

Mrs R Edwards

 01553 774829

 Named Safeguarding Governor 

Lisa Austin

 01553 774829

 Chair of Governors

Deacon Shaun Morrison

 01553 774829

 

 

 

Pupil Premium

The 'Nurture Room' is used daily by trained staff and specific children are allocated a time to complete group activities and spend time in the calm, nurturing environment. 

We have been following the Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) program and have noticed great improvement in the children's ability to understand their own feelings and talk about them too. The impact of this has been noted across the school, the impact of PATHS on pupils receiving Pupil Premium funding (within a 10 month period) is;

  • 18.5% to 23.2% improvement in Social and Emotional Competence
  • 12.2% to 24.1% improvement in Pro-Social Skills
  • 11.7% improvement in Concentration and Attention

Some comments from the children about PATHS:

  • "I have enjoyed being Pupil of the Day because it makes me feel special"
  • "I feel excited and happy because my friends and my teachers say nice things about me"
  • "PATHS is good because you get a chance to talk about feelings/stuff you would not normally talk about. It has helped me to speak to teachers and not keep it inside"
  • The next pupil premium strategy review will take place on 31st April 2021

 Pupil Premium Funding 2019-2020

 £37,515

 Use of funding

 Cost

 Teaching Assistant intervention + 1-1 support

 £30,708

 Contribution for school trips

 £375

 Music Tuition

 £105

 After school clubs contribution to resources

 £2,000

 Learning resources

 £3,000

 Creation Station & Nuture Room

 £7,195

 Total Expenditure

 £43,383

Pupil Premium funding 2018 - 2019

£31,640

Use of funding

Cost

Teaching Assistant intervention + 1-1 support

£29,233

Support funding for Residential Trip

£147

PATHS/Boxall

£180

Contribution for school trips

£457

Talk & Toast

£26

Music Tuition

£263

After school clubs contribution to resources

£1,000

Learning Resources

£2,500

Creation Station & Nurture Room

£7,821

Total Expenditure

£41,627

Main barriers to Educational Achievement faced by eligible pupils.

Barrier to learning

Proposed Actions

Evidence of Impact

Low Attendance.

Children with low attendance will be identified and support put into place for them. This will be monitored closely by the class teacher and outside agencies will be involved when needed.

This will be closely monitored alongside the class teacher. Increase of attendance will improve the attainment progress.

Emotional and social wellbeing.

1:1 sessions with Mrs Godfrey.

Group sessions with Mrs Tallon in the Nurture suite or Creation Station.

Children who are identified to need emotional and social wellbeing support will be monitored carefully. Discussions with the class teacher will take place termly as to whether these sessions will need to continue to take place.

Lack of educational stimulus/resources outside the school setting.

Educational trips which provide stimulus for the children outside of the classroom.

Offering children resources that they may not have readily available to them at home.

This will lead to greater focus and progress within the classroom. This will be monitored termly by the teacher.

EAL

Extra support in the classroom will take to place to build on their English language and understanding.

Group sessions with Mrs Tallon may also take place.

Children who have been identified with EAL and in need of extra support will be monitored carefully and termly discussions with the class teacher will decide whether these need to continue.

Their academic progress will be evident, especially with writing.

 

If you would like details on our financial benchmark you can find all of this by following this link. https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/School/Detail?urn=147415

Home Learning Policy

By following the link below you can find a copy of our Home Learning Policy for Reception to Year 6.

 

 

Intimate Care Policy