Ixworth

Church of England
Voluntary Controlled
Primary School

School Brochure
2010/2011
Ixworth Church of England
VC Primary School
September 2010

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to our school. This brochure has been prepared to give you a
clear picture of the school and its aims. We hope it will be helpful to you.

Our school building creates a warm, welcoming and stimulating

environment to work in and our skilled and experienced staff work closely
together on behalf of the children.

All staff work hard to create an atmosphere in which each child‟s personal
talents can be developed to the fullest extent. We aim to work closely with
each child and their family so that all the children will feel as safe and
happy at school as they do at home. We are proud of the achievements of
all our children and like them to take a pride in all that they do in our
school.

Ixworth Primary is a Church School where we share Christian values and

celebrate the achievements of all our children.

Visitors are welcome to come and see the school. Please phone the office
and we will be happy to make an appointment. I look forward to meeting
and working with you, so that together, we can give your child the very
best possible start to their school life.

Yours sincerely

Anna Richards
Head teacher

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Ixworth CEVCP Primary School

Where children…
feel special and valued
are secure, happy and flourish
enjoy learning and celebrate achievement
learn Christian values to live by
are stimulated, challenged, inspired and
encouraged to do their best
enjoy new experiences and opportunities
show respect, tolerance and understanding
become responsible, caring citizens and
life-long learners

Where families feel valued, informed and

involved,

Where every individual matters and we learn

together!

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Ixworth Church of England (VC) Primary School
Crown Lane, Ixworth, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 2EL
Tel: 01359 230228 Fax: 01359 230352
E-mail: ad.ixworth.p@talk21.com

Head teacher: Mrs Anna Richards

Deputy Head teacher: Mrs Rebecca Dodman

Suffolk County Council

Western Area Education Office
West Suffolk House, Western Way
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
IP33 3YU
Telephone: 01284 758000

School Governors
Mr Chris Fuller (Chair)

Mrs Anna Richards

Mr Tim Coe
Mrs Debbie Searle
Mrs Lynne Johnson
Mrs Julie Howard
Mrs Nicky Thomas
Mr Toby Tate
Miss Zoe Morrison
Mr Maurice Hartill
Mr Adrian Harmer
Mrs Liz Bonnelykke
Reverend Phillip Garbett
Reverend Doug Neupert

The information contained in this brochure relates to the school year indicated on the
front cover and is correct at the time of publication. (September 2010)

It should not be assumed that there will be no changes affecting the relevant
arrangements or details either before the start of, or during, the school year in question
or in relation to subsequent school years.

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Meet the Staff
Senior Leadership Team
Head teacher: Mrs Anna Richards
Deputy Head teacher: Mrs Rebecca Dodman

Administration Team
Office Manager: Mrs Teresa Snowling
Administration Assistant: Mrs Barbara Clutterham

Eagle Class (Year 4)

Teachers: Mrs Sally O‟Brien and Mrs Catherine Legg

Kestrel Class (Year 3)

Teachers: Mrs Carolyn Pashby and Mrs Sally O‟Brien

Kingfisher Class (Year 2)

Teacher: Mrs Sharon Warland

Owl Class (Year 1)

Teachers: Mrs Rebecca Dodman and Miss Lorraine Downes

Swallow Class (Reception/Y1)

Teachers: Mrs Claire Lambert, Mrs Charlotte Pratt and Mrs Anna Richards

Robin Class (Nursery)

Teacher: Mrs Louise Price

Teaching Assistants
Mrs Sylvia Currey, Mrs Amanda Backhouse, Mrs Grainne Titlow
and Mr.Nigel Robson

Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO): Mrs Sally O‟Brien

SENCO Assistant: Mrs Sylvia Currie

Cook in Charge: Miss June Wood

Caretaker and Cleaner: Mrs Alison Goldsmith

Cleaner: Mr William Goldsmith

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Introduction to the school
Ixworth CEVCP School is a village primary school serving the villages of
Ixworth and Pakenham Fen. It has Voluntary Controlled status under the
Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. The school
caters for children aged between 4 and 9 years. It is part
of the Thurston pyramid which consists of 14 primary
schools and 3 middle schools which all feed into
Thurston Community College. The school day begins at
8.55am and finishes at 3.30pm.

The School Building and Grounds

There has been a primary school in Ixworth since 1840.
The original school building was in Thetford Road but in
1969 the school was re-located to a purpose built modern
building in Crown Lane. Since the current school opened
40 years ago, it has been significantly extended and
improved. The school is centred around a large hall which
is used for PE activities, assemblies and concerts. The
midday meal is also served in here. There are six
classrooms, each with its own resource area and an ICT
suite. Our Early Years Foundation Stage and Year 1 and 2 classes have outdoor
learning areas.

The outdoor playing space consists of a hard playground

area, a large climbing construction and a carpeted play area
with play fort and ship which is surrounded by shrubs. There
is also a fenced environmental area with a pond.

The school is able to use the village hall playing field for
outdoor games and sports. Our children also use this area during playtimes under the
supervision of teaching staff and Lunchtime Supervisors.

Links with the Church

Ixworth Primary is a Voluntary Controlled School, and as such, maintains strong links
with our local church. We have a daily act of collective worship, which is part of our
assembly.

The Team Rector, Reverend Phillip Garbett, comes into school to lead assembly on a
fortnightly basis. At Harvest, Christmas and Easter, we hold services in the church
where the children take a leading role in the worship. Parents are always invited to
these services.

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Our Ordained Local Minister, Reverend Jill Walker, is a regular weekly visitor
to school. She leads an assembly with Years 3 and 4 and runs story telling
sessions with our younger pupils.

Admission Arrangements
The Local Authority is responsible for admissions to both
the Nursery and the main school. Children are admitted
into our Reception Class at the beginning of the
academic year in which they become five, although the
youngest children attend on a part time basis to begin
with. Our Nursery offers half-time early years education
for the two terms prior to this. If there are places in the
Nursery, children may be able to start three terms before
they start full time school if parents feel their children are ready.

Pupils will not be allocated a place in school automatically. All parents / carers must
apply for a place, even if their child already attends the school‟s nursery class. If any
parents / carers would like a CAF1 application form and a „Schools in Suffolk‟ booklet
and/or further clarification on the admission process, they should contact the school or
the Admissions Team on 0845 600 0981. The form is also available on line at:
www.suffolk.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/Schools/AdmissionsToSchools

Parents’ / Carers’ Visits to School

The school recognises the importance of establishing strong

home-school relationships and aims to work in partnership with
parents for the benefit of their children.

Parents are invited to attend formal interviews with their child‟s

class teacher three times a year. We operate an appointments
system so all discussions are private. Teachers are always
willing to talk informally to
parents on a daily basis. We
prefer you to see classroom
assistants before school and
teachers immediately after school so that the teachers
can concentrate on the children first thing in the
morning. Parents who use child-minders to bring and
collect children may find it easier to communicate with
teachers on a regular basis through reading journals or
log books. Should any problems arise, the school strongly urges parents to make an
appointment with the class teacher without delay so that action can be taken as quickly
as possible.

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Liaison
At present, children leave Ixworth CEVCP School at the end of Year 4 to
move onto a middle school. It is unclear at present when the middle schools
in our area will be phased out.

The primary schools in the Thurston pyramid work closely with each other to ensure
that all children transferring to middle school have had similar opportunities and
experiences.

Regular liaison meetings are held with the staff of Ixworth Middle School. Year 5 tutors
from the middle school visit the primary school towards the end of the summer term to
talk to the children about the transition. Provision is also made for parents and children
to visit the middle school. A range of activities are organised to enable year 4 pupils to
meet with pupils from other feeder primary schools and to visit the middle school on
several occasions.

Transition arrangements will be made individually for any pupils who will not be
transferring to Ixworth Middle school at the end of Year 4.

School Rules
We endeavour to develop courtesy, respect, good manners and consideration for
others in all our children. We trust that parents support us in this. In conjunction with
parents, governors and pupils, the school has developed a „Behaviour Policy‟. Copies
of this are available for parents to read.

Our school rules are:

Follow instructions straight away
Keep your hands and feet to yourself
Be kind to others and show respect
Take care of the things belonging to yourself and others

The Curriculum
Ixworth CEVCP School provides a broad and enriched
curriculum which aims to promote the intellectual,
personal, social and physical development of all pupils.
We aim to make our curriculum as creative and exciting
as possible. Although emphasis is placed on developing
skills and knowledge in the core subjects of Literacy and
Numeracy, other subjects are taught predominantly
through topics in a cross-curricular way. This ensures a
stimulating context to the children‟s learning. The school
follows the Local Authority‟s “Agreed Syllabus” for Religious Education. PSHE
(Personal, Social and Health Education) is timetabled and taught throughout the
school. Throughout the curriculum, opportunities to develop children's social, moral,
spiritual, emotional and cultural development are fostered.

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Literacy
Literacy is concerned with the use of language for communication and
includes:

Speaking and listening

Opportunities to speak and listen exist throughout the
school day. They may consist of children relating
experiences, describing activities, discussing how to
solve a problem or using creative language in a play
situation. The talk may be with one other child, in a
small or large group, or with an adult. There are
frequent opportunities for children to listen to stories
and poetry.

Reading
Children learn to read at different rates and times. We aim to help children to learn to
read fluently and to learn to love reading texts for the enjoyment and the knowledge
they can impart. Children are helped to develop their reading skills through a variety of
methods including whole word recognition, phonics and the use of contextual and
picture cues.

A wide variety of reading material is available in school, including the very best of
reading schemes, real books, poetry and non-fiction material. Children are able to take
their reading books home and are provided with either a reading log book or a journal
to record the texts they have read and enjoyed. When they are learning to read, we
encourage children to read to an adult daily at home and value the contribution parents
make. The school library contains a wide range of reading material.

Writing
Children are encouraged to express themselves in writing as soon as they feel
confident to do so. Initially this may take the form of a
short sentence to describe a picture they have drawn.
Later their writing may take the form of a story or book
they have made up, a poem they have created or an
article for a school newspaper. We aim to make
children aware of different forms of writing for different
purposes. We also encourage them to draft their work,
then in conference with the teacher or a peer, self
correct and alter, coming finally to an end product of
which they feel proud.

Mathematics
The mathematics curriculum is broad and balanced with priority given to the teaching of
„number‟ and the using and applying of number facts in different contexts through
practical and problem solving activities. We aim to develop children‟s enthusiasm and
confidence alongside their capabilities in the subject. A variety of teaching methods and
materials are employed to achieve this.

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Science
Science is taught throughout the school either as part of a
wider based topic or as an individual unit. The children are
encouraged to observe, explore, experiment, investigate and
to ask questions about their work, to help them acquire a
sound scientific knowledge and understanding. They are
taught to communicate and record their findings and ideas in a
variety of ways.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

There are computers in all classrooms and a total of nineteen
in the computer suite. The children also benefit from a bank of
20 laptops which can be used in any classroom. Children
learn to use software programs for word processing, data
collection and design. ICT is used to support all areas of the
curriculum. Interactive whiteboards are installed in all
classrooms and the school has wireless internet throughout.

History and Geography

These subjects are taught through the medium of topic work. In
both subjects, local studies as well as more distant regions are
used as contexts for learning. The village of Ixworth is used to
help children develop fieldwork skills.

PE
Regular exercise and participation in sports activities are vital if
we are to produce a healthy generation. Within the curriculum,
children participate regularly in gymnastics, games, dance and
in the summer term and athletics and rounders.

Art
Art is planned to ensure that children have the opportunities to develop their skills and
knowledge and to work with a variety of media. This includes work with textiles, 3D
work, painting, drawing, printing, collage and clay

Design and Technology

Children are given the opportunity to develop their D T
capability through:
assignments in which they design and make products
focused practical tasks in which they develop and
practise particular skills and knowledge
activities in which they investigate and evaluate items

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Music
Work in music includes singing, listening, composing and performing.
Children in Year 4 learn to play the recorder.

Religious Education
Ixworth Primary is a voluntary controlled school and Religious
Education is taught in accordance with an Agreed Syllabus
approved by the Local Authority. Children learn about
themselves and the groups they belong to. They explore
ideas, feelings, opinions and beliefs of people from the major
world religions.

Collective Worship
We have a daily act of Collective worship in accordance with the doctrine of the Church
of England. Parents, if they so wish, may withdraw their children from Religious
Education lessons and Collective Worship assemblies. Such requests should be
made, in writing, to the Head teacher.

PSHE
Personal, Social and Health Education is a timetabled subject with a scheme of work
that includes citizenship.

Sex and Relationship Education

The school accepts its responsibility to prepare all pupils for adult life. Teachers use a
sensitive approach, taking into account each pupil‟s person values, needs, beliefs and
family circumstances, and endeavour to guide each child to make their own effective
and responsible choices in matters of personal behaviour. A copy of the school‟s policy
document, which has been approved by the School Governors, is available for any
parent to view if they wish.

Children with Special Needs

The school has a policy of inclusion and aims to
meet the needs of all children. Differentiated
activities are included in the class teachers‟
planning.

Individual Education Plans are written for any child

whose progress or behaviour needs monitoring
more carefully. These are written in co-operation
with parents and reviewed regularly.

Some children with more pronounced special

needs may require provision additional to that normally provided in the school and may
need to be referred for specialist advice and support. Where children have specific
learning difficulties advice may be sought initially from the Local Education Authority‟s

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Advisory Teacher and then, depending on need, a range of specialist
advisory services.

The school expects to work in partnership with parents to provide the best possible
result for their children.

Gifted and Talented

The school has a policy of identifying children with special gifts and talents and
developing them in a variety of ways.

Educational Visits
In support of the curriculum, children regularly benefit from educational visits. Visits are
generally financed through voluntary contributions from parents or through grants
awarded from outside the school. The school governors‟ policy on “Charges and
Remissions” allows for part or all of the cost of an educational visit to be met from the
school‟s budget in cases of personal financial hardship. Further information should be
sought from the head teacher.

School Council
The purpose of the School Council is to provide a forum for the children to raise items
of concern or interest, and take part in agreeing any resolutions or activities. Children
elect members of the school council each year and these representatives from each
class meet regularly with the head teacher.

Extended Schools Provision

Throughout the year various clubs and activities are organised by the staff. Some of
these take place at lunchtimes whilst others are after school. Sometimes specialist
teachers or coaches visit the school to lead some of the activities. Some of the
activities provided recently are: football, gymnastics, French, art and choir. A small
charge is made for most after school clubs to cover staffing costs.

The school also runs a breakfast club from 7.45am every school morning. Children
have a healthy breakfast and take part in a range of games and activities before the
start of the school day. The charge for this is currently £3.50 per session.

Medical Matters
It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that children who are unwell receive proper
care. Consequently children who are unwell should not be sent to school. Parents
should advise the school of any medical condition which may affect the child during the
school day. Should the doctor consider it necessary for a child to receive medication
during the school day, where possible, this should be administered by the parent.

In certain circumstances, a member of staff may agree to administer medication. In this

case, parents will be requested to complete a medication form and sign a legal
disclaimer in favour of the staff involved in administering the medicine. The medicine

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must be in the original container and be clearly labelled with the contents,
child‟s name, and the dosage and/or other instructions from parent or doctor.
It should be handed to the Head teacher or Administrative Assistant by the
parent together with the completed signed disclaimer.

If a child suffers from asthma, the school needs to be made aware and an inhaler
provided for use in school. Inhalers are kept in the classrooms and will always be made
available when needed. They are also taken on all trips out of school.

Members of staff will deal with minor injuries and contact parents immediately if they
have concerns. In the case of a more serious injury or illness when parents cannot be
contacted the head teacher will act on the advice of the medical officer consulted. If
there is any doubt the child will be taken to the local surgery or hospital and the parents
informed as soon as possible.

Attendance
The Education (Pupils‟ Attendance Records) Regulations of 1991 attempts to ensure
that children are present in school as often as possible. Parents are asked not to make
non-urgent appointments with the doctor or dentist during school hours unless it is
unavoidable. We have to record each absence carefully noting in the register whether
the absence is „authorised‟ or „unauthorised‟. We operate “first day calling” of parents if
a child is not present in school. It is vital, therefore, that parents phone the school each
time their child is absent, stating the reason for absence. Unauthorised absences
include truancy, visits to town to buy clothes and holidays. Parents should telephone
school before 9.15 am on the first day of absence, and send a letter when their child
returns to school. There is a form to fill in to request absence during school time.
Requests for holidays in term time will not be authorised.

Pastoral care
The class teacher is the person who normally assumes the responsibility for the day to
day pastoral care of children in their class. A child‟s behaviour can be affected by many
factors, e.g. family bereavement, loss of a much loved family pet, parental separation,
etc. Teachers are better able to help your child through a difficult emotional crisis if
they are taken into your confidence, so please keep us informed.

Child Protection
The school management team takes its responsibility to ensure the safeguarding of our
children very seriously. All staff are checked thoroughly following government
guidelines and regular voluntary helpers will be asked to complete a Criminal Record
Bureau check. Details of all checks are kept in a Single Central Record in the school
office. If members of staff have concerns about a child, they follow widely known
procedures to report their concerns to the Designated Person (the head teacher).
Children & Young People‟s Services (Social Care) will be informed if children are
thought to be at risk. Parents are expected to work in cooperation with the school in the
best interests of their child/ren.

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Every Child Matters
Our school fully supports the Every Child Matters agenda. We are committed
to ensuring all children in the school can:
o be healthy
o stay safe
o enjoy and achieve
o make a positive contribution
o achieve economic well-being

Improving outcomes for children and young people also involves „narrowing the gap‟ for
the most disadvantaged. Schools, parents and the local community all have a part to
play, especially in encouraging participation. Working with other agencies our school
has increased the support available for families and carers, and has aimed to intervene
in the best interests of children before they reach crisis point. Our staff are trained to
use the “Common Assessment Framework” and can make a CAF referral in order to
obtain support for families from other agencies. This close working relationship with
other agencies such as health, social care, police and the voluntary sector means that
information about children and their families will be shared strictly on a „need to know‟
basis.

School Meals
Meals served at this school are cooked on the premises. A nutritionally balanced two
course meal is served which complies with all the Government‟s guidelines for school
meals and is of a type which appeals to children. The
menu is displayed in our school hall and is also sent
home at the beginning of term. The price of meals is
currently £2.00 per day. All meals should be paid for
in advance, at least weekly, on the first day of the
week.

Parents are requested to put the correct money (cash

or cheque) in an envelope on which is written their
child‟s name, number and name of days for which payment is enclosed and amount
enclosed. Cheques should be made payable to Suffolk County Council.

If your family gets state benefits you may be able to get extra help. The extra help will
depend on the type of benefit that you claim. If your child is about to start school and
you want to make a claim please let the school know straight away.

Children whose parents do not wish them to have school meals may bring a packed
lunch. If you wish to send a drink for your child, to drink with his/her lunch then please
ensure that it is in an unbreakable container, otherwise water is always available. Fizzy
drinks are not allowed.

Water bottles are encouraged for use in the classroom.

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School Uniform
We take pride in our presentation and expect all children to wear our school
uniform. Please ensure that all items of clothing are clearly labelled. Name tapes can
be ordered through the school. Named clothing can quickly be returned if it is mislaid.
Fleeces, sweatshirts, cardigans can be purchased from the school. Book bags and PE
bags are also available. Please ask in the office for the latest price list.

Girls Boys
Grey skirt or trousers Grey shorts or trousers
Blue or white blouse or polo shirt Blue or white shirt or polo shirt
School sweatshirt or cardigan Burgundy jumper or school
Blue and white checked dress sweatshirt
Dark shoes/boots / sandals without Dark sensible shoes or sandals
a heel Change of footwear when it is wet
Change of footwear when it is wet or muddy
or muddy
PE Kit
Children will need a named drawstring bag containing:
Plimsolls and/or trainers
Shorts (black or navy)
White tee shirt or polo shirt
Track suit (for cold weather)

Jewellery
In the interests of safety and security, jewellery should not be
worn in school. If your child chooses to wear a watch, they
must be responsible for looking after it. The staff can take no
responsibility for the loss of jewellery or any injury to a child
arising from the wearing of jewellery, such as torn ears or
fingers. Earrings can cause a particular problem in school and
we would urge parents to consider carefully before deciding to
have their child‟s ears pierced. If worn, earrings should be the
sleeper type only and should not have any protrusions which
extend beyond the butterfly clip. For safety reasons we ask that
children are able to remove and replace their own earrings
before participating in any PE activities.

Friends of Ixworth Primary School (FIPS)

The school has an active group of parents who organise social, educational and fund
raising events. Any person with a child at the school automatically becomes a member
and will be sent details of events via their child.

Dogs
In the interests of hygiene and safety, dogs should not be brought into the school
grounds.

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Parking
Parking space outside the school is very limited and the road is narrow.
Please avoid bringing your car to school unless absolutely necessary. If you
need to use your car, please use the lay-by whenever possible, especially if you expect
to be parked for any length of time.

Vehicles should not be driven into or out of the school grounds when children are
arriving or leaving. Except in emergencies e.g. when collecting a sick child, parents
should not use the staff car park. Please exercise extreme caution and consideration
at all times when driving in Crown Lane, especially when children are entering or
leaving school.

Charging and Remissions Policy

The Governing Body reserves the right to make a charge in the following
circumstances for activities organised by the school:
- activities taking place outside school hours
- charges for ingredients / materials if parents wish to own the finished product

The school will also invite parents to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of
education visits (to cover transport and admission fees.) It is understood that it may be
necessary to have substantial voluntary parental contributions in order that the
proposed activity can take place. However, no child should be deprived of any activity
due to the inability of their parent to contribute.

In circumstances of financial hardship which make it difficult for children to participate in

particular activities that form part of the curriculum, sympathetic consideration will be
given for remission. The Governing Body invites parents to apply in confidence to the
Head teacher for the remission of charges in part or in full.

Public Access to Documents

Access to the following documents and information is available on request to the head
teacher:
Any statutory instruments (including statutory orders for the National Curriculum
subjects). Circulars and administrative memoranda relating to the powers and
duties under chapter 1 of the Education Reform Act
Any published HMI/OFSTED reports concerning the school
Any schemes of work currently used by teachers in the school
Any school policy documents
Signed copies of the minutes and agenda of meetings of the Governing Body
Any educational records maintained on pupils attending the school may be
examined by parents/guardians on request to the Head teacher.

Complaints Procedures
Any parent who has a complaint or particular worry may contact the head teacher at
any time. If, however, the issue cannot be resolved in this way, it may be referred first
to a panel of governors of the school and as a last resort to a Local Authority panel for
formal consideration.

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Photographs
From time to time children may be photographed as part of normal school activities.
Any parent who does not wish their child to be included in this should make this known
to the school. Parents who do not want their children to be videoed at school plays and
performances must make this known to the school. At present, video cameras are
permitted at these events.

Safety
We welcome all visitors to our school.
We ask all visitors to report to reception and to sign the visitors‟ book in the
entrance hall.
We aim to ensure that it is a safe place for pupils, staff and all other members of
the school community.
If visitors threaten or assault anyone in the school, or persist in abusive behaviour,
they will be removed from the premises and may be prosecuted.

Outside doors are closed at 9 am. Children who arrive at school late should come in
through the main entrance and report to the school office so that they can be
registered. Teachers keep a careful watch on children as they are collected from school
and we would ask that you inform us if someone different is collecting the child, or if
you have been delayed. We are aware that some Year 4 children are encouraged by
their parents to walk home independently. Please make the class teacher aware of this.

And finally …
We hope that this brochure has given you useful information about our school. We
would be delighted to show you around and would ask that you phone to make an
appointment.

If you require further information about Ixworth CEVCP School, please do not hesitate
to contact us.

Brochure updated— September 2010

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