INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Lovington Church of England School.  We have a close link with the church and we work together in an environment of respect and care for others.  The school welcomes children of all religious backgrounds and teaches pupils about the many different faiths that are part of our national culture today. 

Our school is special because there is a positive and supportive atmosphere within the school, which encompasses everyone who comes into contact with it.  This is very important to us because we believe it creates the best environment for learning.  We also believe in teamwork and at Lovington we like to involve children, parents and the local community as fully as we can in the learning process.  We are dedicated to helping the children achieve the best they can and work closely together to ensure this happens.  We focus very much on meeting the needs of individual children.  We value the contribution that every individual makes to the life of the school, and celebrate the many different characters that form our school community.

We firmly believe that both the academic subjects and those that develop creativity, physical fitness and personal and social skills in children are very important; we also think it is crucial to make school an enjoyable experience so we aim to make learning fun by taking into consideration the different learning styles of each individual.

We want your child to enjoy and cherish their time at Lovington and by the time they leave, to be equipped with a whole range of skills that will take them through the next phase of their education and beyond into adult life.

Ofsted November 2006:

Overall care, support and guidance are good.  However, the level of care is outstanding.  This is greatly appreciated by parents and pupils who feel the school is a very happy and safe place to be.  In this friendly, warm and supportive environment, pupils flourish and their personal development is excellent.  They become mature, helpful and confident young people with an excellent appreciation of how they can make a positive contribution to society.

WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE

EXCELLENCE AND ENJOYMENT IN EDUCATION

STAFF

Headteacher:                                      Mrs C Marsland

Senior Teacher:                                   Mrs D Preston

SENCO:                                              Mrs C Marsland

Class Teachers:                                  

Mrs D Preston                        - Class 1 Reception, Years 1 & 2

Mrs R Thomas                        - Class 1 Reception, Years 1 & 2

Miss S Knutt                          - Class 2 Years 3, 4, 5,& 6

Mrs C Marsland                      - Class 2 Years 3, 4, 5,& 6

Modern Foreign Languages

Teacher:                                                Mrs J Gay

Learning Support Assistants:                  Mrs D Brunt

                                                            Mrs J Simmonds

                                                            Mrs N Allis

Mrs H Briggs

                                                            Miss E Newton

Toddler Group:                                    Mrs J Simmonds

Lunchtime Supervisor:                         Mrs H Lye

Secretary:                                            Mrs N Thompson

Caretaker:                                           Mrs H Lye

As we are a small staff, we are able to form close relationships with all the children and build an atmosphere which is personal, secure and friendly in nature.  We are all committed to ensuring that our own training and development enables us to fulfil our various roles within the school.

PUPILS

Lovington School currently has 52 pupils.  Children come to us from the surrounding villages of North Barrow, Hornblotton, Lydford and Alford.  A number of children choose to come from places farther afield like Keinton Mandeville and Castle Cary.  If children live in our catchment area, transport can be provided by the LEA for children who live more than two miles (under 8 years of age) or three miles (over 8 years of age) from the school using the shortest available walking route.

GOVERNORS

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

 The education of young children has been carried on in Lovington since 1715, when a local benefactor, Farmer John Whitehead, bequeathed the rent of 9 acres of pastureland at Foddington, to be used for the schooling of the poor children of Lovington for ever.

Lovington Primary School is a Voluntary Controlled School, which means that the Church of England is represented on the Governing Body.  The school is co-educational for pupils aged 4 to 11 years.  The buildings include a large schoolroom, which was built towards the end of the 19^th Century.  The adjoining schoolhouse has been opened up to provide extra facilities including a library, offices, staff room, resources room and cloakroom.  Two classrooms are housed in Elliott buildings beside the playground.  One of these buildings also contains our hall space, kitchen and an additional cloakroom.  The children are grouped into two classes and would normally spend three years in Class 1 followed by four years in Class 2.

The school is set in a rural location with a playground, swimming pool and garden areas.  Beside the school is a large field, which the children use for games, and a car park for staff and parents.  Adventure play equipment has been added close to the playground and we have recently developed a fully enclosed outdoor area for Class 1. A Millennium Quiet Garden, funded by a variety of local sponsors, including the PTA, was opened in May 2001.  A time capsule was buried in the garden and is due to be opened in 2050.

We have a computer suite, which is accessed regularly by all pupils.  All classrooms have an interactive whiteboard and several computers, all of which are fully networked.

The children and staff work closely with other schools in the area through the Ansford Federation, which includes Ansford Community School and all of its seven primary partners. Through the sharing of facilities, expertise and activities, at various times during the school year, the school lives of our children are enriched. We also work with Ansford to improve continuity in education from Key Stage 2 through to Key Stage 3.  The majority of the children transfer to Ansford at the age of eleven, where they are instantly recognisable as well-rounded, confident individuals.

Religious Ethos

Recognising its Christian Foundation, the school will help pupils develop an understanding of the Christian faith in accordance with the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at Parish and Diocesan level.

STARTING SCHOOL

Choosing a school which will provide the best education for a child is one of the most important decisions that parents have to make.  This prospectus aims to provide information to help you make that choice.  All parents are invited to visit the school with their children, by prior appointment, before applying for a place.

Admissions Policy

The LA is the admission authority for this school and places are allocated in accordance with their published arrangements.  A copy of these arrangements can be obtained by ringing Parentline (0845) 6045555.

Our current policy is for all children to start school in the September following their fourth birthday. Children attend for mornings only at first and come in full time when the class teachers and their parents feel they are ready.  Although all children are entitled to attend full time after the first half term break, we believe that a flexible policy works to the benefit of the children, so that the younger ones are not expected to start full time education before they are ready.

Parent & Toddler Group

We are very proud of our Parent/Carer and Toddler Group, which was formed in March 2004.  The aim of the group is to offer a warm, friendly meeting place for everyone with pre-school children, while enabling those children to take part in stimulating and exciting learning opportunities and to socialise together.  Refreshments are available and it is open to everyone in our community.

Pre-School Preparation

Starting school is a big event in a childs life and we aim to make the transition from home to school as smooth as possible.  We provide parents with a starter pack of information along with the required forms; and invite children and parents into school regularly during the term before they are due to start.

Nursery Age Children

As the Reception children starting school in the Autumn Term are four and may not turn five until the following summer, they need special provision within the primary classroom. These nursery age children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, which is organised into six main areas of learning:

J    personal, social and emotional development

J    communication, language and literacy

J    problem solving, reasoning and numeracy

J    knowledge and understanding of the world

J    physical development

J    creative development

THE CURRICULUM

Our key objectives are in line with Every Child Matters:-

  To create an environment in which all children are able to work and play safely

  To encourage all children to enjoy their education and achieve their full potential through the application of a broad and balanced curriculum

  To promote a healthy lifestyle through a range of activities within the school day

  To encourage an appreciation of the natural world and the community around us so that all children can make a positive contribution

  To enable all children to achieve economic well-being by providing the skills and knowledge required for their life ahead

Curriculum Aims

At Lovington the curriculum is designed to develop the following key skills in each child:-

  The ability to analyse, evaluate and communicate ideas and information

  The confidence and ability to solve a variety of everyday problems

  The interest and ability to explore and investigate new ideas and situations

  The ability to apply IT and mathematical knowledge across the range of their learning

  An appreciation and respect for the world around them

  The willingness to evaluate and improve their own learning and performance

  Consideration for others and sensitivity towards their commitments and beliefs

The National Curriculum provides a statutory framework through which the children progress as they move through the school.  It includes the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and Information & Communication Technology, and additional foundation subjects of Design Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music and Physical Education, along with non-statutory guidelines for Modern Foreign Languages and Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship. Our curriculum for Religious Education follows the County Agreed Syllabus.  At times the subjects are integrated around a central theme to make learning more meaningful for the children, who are taught as a class or in ability groups as appropriate.  Teaching groups remain flexible to reflect the needs of individual children.

Ofsted November 2006:

The outstanding curriculum very successfully links between subjects and is making learning purposeful and enjoyable.

English

The National Curriculum for English concentrates on speaking and listening, reading and writing.  Each class participates in daily, structured Literacy activities based on the recommendations of the Primary Framework.  We believe in building firm foundations to enable the children to communicate effectively with others and to use their skills across the curriculum. 

Mathematics

The National Curriculum for Mathematics concentrates on Problem Solving, Number and Algebra, Shape, Space and Measures, and Handling Data. Each class participates in daily, structured Numeracy activities based on the recommendations of the Primary Framework. We believe that mathematics should be relevant and applicable to the needs of the children and their future role in society.

Science

In Science we seek to develop enquiring minds, keen powers of observation and the ability to develop and test ideas, by allowing the children to explore and make discoveries in the world around them.  We aim to deliver the broad requirements of the National Curriculum for Science, which provides the children with the opportunity to explore Life Processes and Living Things, Materials and their Properties and Physical Processes (forces, electricity, light and sound).

Information & Communication Technology

Children have the opportunity to use computers and related

equipment in every classroom. The school is well equipped

with information technology equipment and the children

learn a wide range of IT skills including:

J    word processing

J    data handling

J    modelling

J    controlling simple programmable toys

J    using graphics packages

J    locating information from the Internet and CD-ROMS

These skills are used to underpin other areas of the curriculum e.g. combining text and graphics to present work in history or researching information from the Internet to support topic work.

History and Geography

These subject areas are normally taught within a topic or project.  In history, the children will begin to build up a picture of the past and recognise historical change.  Work in geography includes mapwork, the weather, aspects of physical geography and an increasing awareness of Britain, Europe and the World.  The children will often study local areas of interest, which fit into these subject areas.

Art and Design

Creative activities of all kinds are seen to be an essential part of our curriculum.  The children develop their skills in drawing, painting, printing, collage and 3-D work using a wide variety of materials to express their ideas.  They also study a variety of artists and their work.

Design Technology

This area of the curriculum encourages children to plan, make and evaluate a variety of products.  The children use different tools and materials to develop their own ideas and solutions to problems.

Modern Foreign Languages

Languages have been taught at Lovington for several years.  We teach Spanish in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, and French in Key Stage 2.  

Music

Enjoyment of music through listening and participating is our priority.  We aim to give children the opportunity to experience a variety of music, to sing sensitively and to develop a sense of rhythm. This year, all Key Stage 2 children are learning to play the recorder. Piano, brass and violin tuition is available if requested by parents.

Physical Education

We are fortunate in having a large field and outdoor swimming pool on the school site.  Gymnastics, dance, athletics, swimming, games and outdoor activities are all included in the PE Curriculum.  We provide opportunities for healthy competition and team work, but the emphasis is always on developing skills and of course enjoyment. There are opportunities for all the children from Year 1 and above to take part in tournaments and festivals with children from the other schools in our federation.

In 1993 the PTA replaced and improved the school swimming pool, which is used in the Summer Term and is also open during the summer holidays and after school for parents who supervise their own children. The teaching of swimming is continued throughout the year at Wincanton Pool and we pride ourselves that every child can swim by the time they leave the school.

Health Education

Health Education forms a significant part of the Science curriculum. It is embedded in the general ethos of the school and we were awarded Healthy Schools Status in 2007. The Governors and Staff have also agreed on a Sex and Relationship Policy which is appropriate to the age and needs of the children throughout the school. Parents are given the opportunity to view any materials used in the teaching of sex education and may withdraw their children from these lessons if they wish.

Ofsted November 2006:

Pupils knowledge of how to achieve a healthy lifestyle is excellent.  The very popular sporting activities have resulted in the school achieving the Activemark Sports Award.

Religious Education

As a Voluntary Controlled School, Religious Education is based on the County Agreed Syllabus for RE, which is broadly Christian based, but also encourages an understanding and tolerance of other religions.  We celebrate Christian festivals of Harvest, Christmas and Easter both in school and at Lovington Church.

Collective Worship

The children take part in a daily Act of Collective Worship, which promotes a sense of caring and community.  We have visiting clergy each term who lead the whole school Act of Worship.  Any parent wishing their child to be withdrawn from collective worship or Religious Education should make a written request to the Headteacher.

Extra-Curricular Activities

A wide range of extra-curricular, and after school activities, organised by our teachers are available to the children at different times throughout the Year. These include Netball, Hockey, Rounders, Football, Drama, Orchestra, Study Club, IT, Art and Gardening.

 Special Educational Needs

We aim to identify and provide additional help for children with specific or general learning difficulties and for very able children. If necessary, we can call for advice from the Local Authority Special Needs Advisers. Children who have Special Educational Needs are educated with their peers where possible, but withdrawn for individual and group work when appropriate. If extra provision is being made for your child, the class teacher and the Special Educational Needs Coordinator will keep you informed.

Ofsted November 2006:

Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities are well supported by classroom assistants.

Accessibility

In the event of a child with a physical disability entering the school, the Governing Body have set aside money with which to install any necessary disabled facilities.  This building project is in our School Development Plan.  The school currently has an accessible next to the school hall.

All children with disabilities are considered equally within the admissions, as are all adults applying for posts within the school.

Able Pupils

Children with particular abilities in specific subjects are often able to work with older children within their class.  They are frequently given extension activities and may be able to attend special Able Pupil Days arranged by the Ansford Federation for Year 5 and Year 6 children.

 Assessment

Childrens work is assessed regularly and a careful record is kept of their progress. Teachers carry out informal assessments throughout the year and formal assessments take place in the Summer Term for all children from Years 2 to 6. Children are also encouraged to evaluate their own work and suggest ways in which it could be improved. In Year 6 the children are involved in National Assessment Tests (SATs) in English and Mathematics which take place in May. In Year 2 the childrens learning is assessed mainly through teacher assessment, with use being made of National Assessment tests to support teacher judgements. 

Ofsted November 2006:

Systems for monitoring the schools work and checking on pupils progress are very good and provide an accurate picture of how well the school is doing.

  Blue/black tracksuit (optional) for winter. 

  Please note that earrings must be removed for PE, and shoulder length hair needs to be tied back.

For reasons of Health and Safety, children will not be allowed to participate in PE lessons unless they have appropriate clothing and footwear.  This should be kept in school from Monday to Friday each week.

Personal Possessions

Money should not be brought into school unless required for music lessons, book club or particular events.

Personal possessions brought into school remain the responsibility of the parent and child. Children are discouraged from bringing in items which are of value or which act as distractions.  Mislaid articles are placed in the blue Lost Property box in the cloakroom of Class 2 in the main building.

Discipline

Our aim is to foster a positive and encouraging atmosphere in which uncooperative behaviour is unlikely to emerge.  If, however, a childs behaviour in school is causing concern, our policy is to contact parents so that any problem can be tackled in partnership.

Generally our rules are kept to a minimum and are mainly for the purpose of safety and hygiene.  We aim to develop self-esteem and expect children to show respect and courtesy to all about them.  We consider good manners and polite behaviour essential in providing a pleasant working atmosphere. 

Ofsted November 2006:

Moral and social development are outstanding.  Excellent relationships and behaviour ensure that the school is a happy and harmonious place where pupils thrive.  They are adamant that no bullying takes place.  Pupils are very aware of how to keep safe and feel very safe and happy in school.

Attendance

During the 2008/2009 academic year, the percentage of unauthorised absence in all year groups was 0.3%.  Authorised absence was 3.9%. This means that children are usually only absent for valid reasons like illness.

In line with the Local Authority guidelines, holidays in term time are not authorised unless there are really exceptional circumstances.

Medical Issues

From time to time the children are screened by the Health Authority.  Hearing, sight and dental checks are included.

 Any medicine (including cough sweets and paracetamol tablets) that the children are taking should be clearly labelled and taken to the school office together with a completed medication form.

Safeguarding Children

All of the staff have a duty to safeguard and protect children in our care.  We follow the policies and procedures from the Somerset Safeguarding Children Board, which can be found on the website at www.somersetsafeguardingchildrenboard.org.uk.  The lead Child Protection officer at Lovington School is Mrs C Marsland and the deputy lead CP officer is Mrs D Preston.

Charging Policy

Some school activities will only be possible if parents make a voluntary contribution to the cost and where this is the case, parents will always be informed at the outset. We believe that such activities, which are often linked to classroom work, truly enrich the childrens education.  They might include:-

  Visits to museums, the theatre and areas of local interest.

  Visits to outdoor activity centres.

  Opportunities for the children to work with other schools and people in the community.

Parents will be asked to sign consent forms before each visit or out of school activity. A copy of the Authoritys Charging Policy is available at the school for any parent who may wish to consult it.

NATIONAL CURRICULUM ASSESSMENTS

Assessments of 7 Year Olds (Key Stage 1)

This table shows a summary of the National Curriculum assessment results of pupils in the school (2009) and nationally (2008) at the end of Key Stage 1, as a percentage of those eligible for assessment.  Figures may not total 100 per cent because of rounding.

W represents children who are working towards level 1, but have not yet achieved the standards needed for level 1. 
U represents children for whom it is not possible to determine a level.

NATIONAL CURRICULUM ASSESSMENTS

Assessment of 11 Year Olds (Key Stage 2)

These tables show a summary of the National Curriculum results of pupils in the school (2009) and nationally (2008) at the end of Key Stage 2, as a percentage of those eligible for assessment.  Figures may not total 100 per cent because of rounding.  The number of eligible children is 11.

Figures may not total 100 per cent because of rounding.

W            represents pupils who are working towards level 1, but have not yet achieved the standards needed for level 1.

*              represents pupils who were not entered for the tests because they were working below level 3 in English, mathematics or science; pupils awarded a compensatory level from the tests; and pupils entered for but not achieving a level from the tests.

^#              represents pupils working at the levels of the tests, but unable to access them, formally referred to as disapplied.