Overview
The Primary Department in Glencryan caters for children between the ages of five and twelve. At present there are eight primary classes. Each class comprises of a maximum of ten pupils and one class teacher. Additional support needs assistants are placed in response to pupils’ need.
The children are offered a curriculum, which encourages the development of a wide range of skills. We place great importance on building skills already gained by the children from home, nursery and school and by endeavouring to meet their on-going individual needs through a process of constant evaluation and consultation.
School Hours
The teaching day begins at 9.00am.
The morning interval, during which all of the children are supervised by adults, is from 10.30am – 10.45am.
Lunch is at 12.15pm. Children may bring a packed lunch to school or buy a school lunch from the cafeteria. All children, regardless of whether they choose a packed lunch or a cafeteria lunch, eat together in the lunch hall and are supervised by teachers and auxiliary staff. Children return to class at 1.00pm.
The teaching day finishes at 2.55pm when the children assemble in the school hall ready to leave the building at 3.00pm.
Staffing and Points of Contact
Mr Alun Struthers is Depute Head teacher and the point of contact for the Primary Department. At present there are 8 members of teaching staff and 19 additional support needs assistants working in the Primary Department.
Specialist Teachers from the Secondary Department also assist the Primary Department in the delivery of particular curricular areas including Swimming and Music.
Parents as Partners
In Glencryan, we acknowledge that you are the first and continuing educator of your child and as such we value your support and comments at all times. Each child has a daily diary or class Dojo in which both parents and teachers are encouraged to write or send messages. Your child’s class teacher will comment on the events of the day and we would encourage you to do likewise. A short explanation is requested in the diary or on class dojo following any absence.
You are welcome to contact the school at any time by telephoning and asking for the Depute Head Teacher. Thereafter, if you require to see the class teacher or other members of staff, an appointment will be arranged in order that the relevant staff members are available.
There are also regular events throughout the year to which parents are specially invited. These include celebration events and parents’ workshops.
Parents are asked to support the school by encouraging and supporting their child with homework directed by the class teacher (as appropriate).
Uniform
At Glencryan School, we encourage all children to wear school uniform. As well as encouraging pupils to take pride in being a part of our school community, the uniform is also designed practically for comfort and ease.
The uniform consists of a red sweatshirt, white polo shirt and a grey skirt, trousers or jogging bottoms. Red school fleeces are also available. All uniform items can be ordered by contacting the school office. The design of the uniform is intended to encourage independent dressing skills amongst even the youngest of our pupils. All children participate in weekly PE and Swimming Lessons, therefore they will need to have shorts, T-shirt, soft shoes for PE, a swimming costume and towel for using at the pool.
Curriculum
We deliver Curriculum for Excellence – a broad general education from P1 to S3 and Senior Phase from S4 – S6. Teachers’ planning takes account of individual needs of children within this framework.
Assessment
Assessment within the Primary Department is continuous and recorded for each child individually. These assessments are then used in order to report to parents verbally or in writing. At present, we have two parents’ evenings during the course of a year and we provide parents with a comprehensive written report in the summer term and an opportunity to join us for an open morning.
Promoting Positive Behaviour
We recognise that every child is an individual with individual needs and strengths. This includes individual targets within the GIRFMe Plans as well as planned circle times. During circle time the children are encouraged to develop listening, looking, speaking, thinking and concentrating skills. They are also encouraged to be respectful towards each other and to be caring to each other.
The positive environment offers the children a chance to develop not only positive self-esteem but also to cultivate respect for other people and property. Within each class and also within the department there are rules to which all of the School Community are expected to adhere. From time to time, however, all children experience difficulties to a greater or lesser extent. Usually, these difficulties are minor and can be dealt with through circle time or within class, but sometimes greater intervention is needed. When intervention by the class teacher does not improve the situation for a particular child, then the matter is referred to the Depute Head who will then decide how to proceed. At all times, we endeavour to consult with parents as to the nature of the difficulties and possible solutions.
We celebrate the successes that the children have through a class points system and awards at assemblies once a week.
