Prospectus 2004 continued.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Pupils have the opportunity to take part in a varied programme of extra curricular activities. Current activities include:
· Cross Country/ Athletics
· Music/Recorders
· Country Dancing
· French
· Football
· Art Club
Some clubs are run by members of staff and some by parents. Further details of current activities are provided at the start of the school term and in the regular newsletters.
If parents have a particular interest and would like to be involved in an after-school activity we would be pleased to hear from you.
OFSTED
The school was inspected by OFSTED in November 2003. A copy of the report is available from the school.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
It is Gloucester County policy that no smoking is permitted anywhere on school sites. We would request that no dogs be brought into our school grounds or buildings.
The school is responsible for the safety of your child during normal school hours. Every effort is made to ensure that your children are supervised on arrival and leaving the school, but you are responsible for their safety before and after school hours including the journey to school and on leaving the school gate.
Parents are asked to park their cars before and after school with consideration for both the local householders, other road users and the safety of all children. Parents are not permitted to drive onto the school site during the school day, i.e. between the hours of 08:30 and 16:00. Parking is permitted on the school site for after school events such as Parents' Evenings.
CHARGING POLICY
The law states that the educational activities during normal school hours are to be free of any compulsory charge to parents. The law also recognises that charges may be made to parents in certain circumstances provided that the school identifies the activities charged for, and explains that these charges are voluntary.
Parents will be required to cover the full costs for activities taking place out of school hours and for the board and lodgings costs of residential activities.
The school endeavours to provide the very best education for our pupils within the funds provided by the Education Authority. However, in order to maintain the breadth and quality of education that we achieve, certain activities require financial support from parents. The school strives to keep these financial contributions to a minimum, to achieve value for money, and to ensure that all children are able to take part irrespective of their circumstances.
SPORT
At Bisley Blue Coat C of E School the children have the opportunity to participate in many sporting activities.
The large tarmac playground provides plenty of scope for netball, football and small games. Playground markings also include snakes and ladders, chess etc.
The site also has a small hall, which is used for country dancing and drama activities.
Nearby we have access to a sports field, which is used for athletic activities.
We also utilise the local Leisure Centre to teach swimming to Y1 - Y4. By the end of Key Stage 2 the majority of children achieve the minimum requirement of 25 metres unaided swimming and many children exceed this.
The school also uses the facilities of the leisure centre to allow our children to develop their gymnastic skills.
We have a variety of Sport Clubs for children including cross country, cricket and netball. During the summer term the children have the opportunity to take part in sports events with other schools.
INSURANCE
Parents should be aware that children in school are not insured against personal accident by Gloucestershire County Council. Parents wishing to take out additional insurance cover can arrange this privately or through the County Council. Details of this scheme are sent out annually and can be obtained via the School Office.
Children taking part in non-residential out of school activities are automatically insured against personal accident by the County Council.
Under the County Insurance Requirements, your written permission is required for all journeys outside the premises. You will be asked to sign and return a consent form, which will cover all local visits.
Any journey that involves travel further afield will have a separate consent form as and when required.
CURRICULUM COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
Under the Education Reform Act 1988, the Authority has established arrangements to consider parents' complaints about the school's curriculum and related matters. A copy of the full procedure for this is available for inspection in each school and Public Library maintained by the Authority. It covers matters relating to the National Curriculum and includes provision of external exam courses, Religious Education, the operation of the school's charging policies in relation to the curriculum and provision of information. The procedure provides for complaints to be directed initially to the Headteacher of the school, and for an attempt to be made to resolve them informally. If this fails, there is then a formal appeal procedure available for parents.
TRANSFER TO OTHER SCHOOLS
We are careful to make any move to another School as smooth as possible whether the move is due to a change of house or form of education.
Pupils transfer to Secondary School at the end of Y6 aged 11 years.
The majority of our pupils transfer to Marling School (boys), Stroud High School (girls), Thomas Keble School, Deer Park and Maidenhill.
TERM DATES 2004/2005
Term 1: Tuesday 1st September to Thursday 21st October 2004
Term 2: Monday 1st November to Tuesday 21st December 2004
Term 3: Wednesday 5th January to Friday 11th February 2005.
Term 4: Monday 21st February to Thursday 24th March 2005.
Term 5: Monday 11th April to Friday 27th May 2005.
Term 6: Monday 6th June to Friday 22nd July 2005.
Five more days already included within the term dates will be designated as non-pupil days for staff professional development and preparation.
Holidays
We hope that you will be able to avoid taking your child on an annual holiday during the school term, as this will be disruptive to the progress and education planned for your child. If it is unavoidable then please complete a holiday form, available from the School Office, and return it completed up to 10 days before your holiday commences.
Only annual holiday can be granted as authorised absence. Extended weekends and day trips are classed as unauthorised absence.