Dunrobin Primary School c

2018/2019 HANDBOOK

SCHOOL AIMS

Our aims are listed under the four purposes of the Scottish Curriculum. The aims below reflect the values of wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity.

SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS

Encourage our pupils to produce work of high quality either by working co-operatively with others or independently.

CONFIDENT INDIVIDUALS

Raise self-esteem and to encourage our pupils to develop appropriate skills, positive attitudes and a set of strong values.

RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS

Provide a caring welcoming environment where our pupils’ needs are catered for, where each child feels a valued member of our school community and where fairness, tolerance and mutual respect are implicit in the life of our school.

EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTORS

Encourage children to show genuine concern for and tolerance of others and equip them to become active caring members of society.

Create an effective working partnership with parents and the wider community, to develop effective communication skills, offering the opportunity to develop and support the whole child.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

School Name:	DUNROBIN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Address:	Petersburn Road, AIRDRIE ML6 8BH

Telephone Number:	01236 632064

E-mail	ht@dunrobin.n-lanark.sch.uk

Website	www.dunrobin.n-lanark.sch.uk

Present Roll:	264

Present class structure:	11 including 2 composite classes

(School roll and staff allocation determine the number of classes to be formed. This may necessitate the formation of composite classes at various stages throughout the school when the following criteria will be applied: a combination of age, language ability groupings, family and/or social groupings. Social groupings will only be taken into consideration when deemed necessary).

Planning Capacity	428

Current Occupational Capacity:	272

Parents should note that the working capacity of the school will vary dependent upon the number of pupils at each stage and the way in which the classes are organised.

Stages Covered:	Primaries 1 - 7

Denominational Status:	Non-denominational

Co-educational Status:	Boys and Girls

Associated Secondary School	Caldervale High School

Tel : 01236 794855

Parent Council	dunrobinparentcouncil@gmail.com

SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION

Dunrobin Primary School opened on 3rd May 1957.

The accommodation within the school building is as follows:

1.	16 spacious classrooms which, as well as being used as classrooms, are utilised as follows:

2.	4 tutorial rooms (one of which has been equipped to serve as the Central Library, Conference Room and Nurture Room and ICT Suite).

3.	A large assembly hall fitted with gymnastics equipment and incorporating a large stage complete with lighting and curtains.

4.	An administrative block comprising General Office, Head Teacher’s Office, Depute Head Teacher’s Office, Janitor’s Room and Staff Room.

5.	A large, bright Dining Room with adjoining well-equipped kitchen.

FACILITIES

The facilities available at Dunrobin School include a football pitch, indoor and outdoor netball courts, badminton and volleyball courts and gymnastic equipment.

Facilities available in the surrounding district include the Four Isles Community Centre

where a wide variety of activities is offered throughout the year including judo, dancing, table tennis. Airdrie Jackson Church makes provision for both Junior and Senior Boys Brigade. Community Groups also use our facilities throughout the year.

DUNROBIN STAFF LIST

Mrs Eileen Watters	Head Teacher

Mrs Sarah Reilly	Acting Depute Head

Mrs Yvonne Callander	(0.6)	Principal Teacher

Mrs Dawn McIntyre	P7A

Mrs Laura Drummond	P7B

Miss Laura Wallace	P6

Miss Sharon Hall (0.6)	P6/5

Mrs Nesrine Watters	(0.4)	P6/5

Miss Veronica McLaughlin	P5/4

Mrs Lesley Reid 0.6	P4

Mrs Angela Arbuckle	P4

Mrs Michelle Armstrong	P3

Mrs Stephanie Lynn (Probationer)	P2B

Mrs Nicola Coleman (0.6)	P2A

Dr Julie Striker (0.4)	P2A

Miss Lynn McCluskey	P1A (Principal Teacher)

Mrs Michelle Hardie	P1B

Miss Kirsty Waugh	McCrone Teacher

Miss Smith	Brass Instrument

SUPPORT STAFF

Mrs Joyce Martin (0.5)	Senior Clerical Assistant

Mrs Susan Addison (0.5)	Senior Clerical Assistant

Mrs Irene Kinsella (0.8)	Clerical Assistant

Mrs Agnes Montgomery	Classroom Assistant

Mrs Kathleen Gribben	ASNA

Mrs Lynn McGregor	ASNA

Mrs Stacy Shing	ASNA

Mr Alan Robertson	Janitor

The school is staffed to levels advocated by national standards and the decisions of North Lanarkshire Council’s Education Officers. There are 18 teachers (FTE 13.55) including three Principal Teachers : Yvonne Callander, Lynn McCluskey and Sarah Reilly, and Head Teacher : Eileen Watters. The HT is the overall manager of the school and oversees all areas of learning and teaching, finance, curriculum development, assessment and pupil and staff welfare. Teachers have 2½ hours non-contact time each week. During this time the children are taught R.M.E, Music, PSD and ICT by McCrone teacher and also take part in assemblies taken by the Head Teacher and Principal Teachers. The subjects taught during this time may change from year to year.

SCHOOL HOURS

School Commences	8.55am

Interval	10.25 – 10.40am

Lunch	12.25 – 1.15pm

School Closes	3.00pm

P1 children attend full-time from first day of session.

BREAKFAST CLUB

We have a breakfast club every morning from 8.25am – 8.45am. Children can purchase toast/cereal/juice for 20p. Application forms are available from the school office.

OUT OF SCHOOL CARE

Out of School Care is available at St Dominic’s Primary School from 3.00pm – 6.00pm. Please contact Cumbernauld YMCA, Tel. 01236 721382.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS 2018-2019

August 2018

In-service day: Tuesday 14 August 2018

In-service day: Wednesday 15 August 2018

Pupils return to school: Thursday 16 August 2018

September 2018

September weekend holidays: Friday 21 September 2018 to Monday 24 September 2018

October 2018

October break: Monday 15 October 2018 to Friday 19 October 2018

November 2018

In- Service day: 19 Nov 2018

December 2018 – January 2019

Christmas and New Year Holidays: Monday 24 December 2018 – Friday 4 January 2019

(inclusive)

February 2019

Mid-term break: Monday 11 February 2019 and Tuesday 12 February 2019

In Service Day: Wednesday 13 February 2019

March/April 2019

Spring break: Monday 1 April to Friday 12 April 2019 (inclusive)

Good Friday 19 April 2019 and Easter Monday 22 April 2019

May 2019

May Day holiday: Monday 6 May 2019

In-Service day: 7 May 2019

Mid-term holiday: Friday 24 May 2019 and Monday 27 May 2019

June 2019

School closes : Friday 28th June 2019

(Pupil attendance will be 190 days after deducting 5 in-service days)

ENROLMENT

The Education (Scotland) Act 1981 gives you, as parents, the right to choose a school for your child. The law applies if you want your child to change school as well as when he/she starts primary or secondary school. If you are seeking a place for your child in DUNROBIN PRIMARY SCHOOL then telephone the Head Teacher who will arrange a time for you to visit the school to discuss any query you may have and if necessary, to give you a conducted tour of the school.

If, however, you are enrolling your child for the first time, look out for advertisements in your local paper or shops for details of dates and times of enrolment which normally takes place in the month of January.

PLACING REQUESTS

You have the right to make a placing request for your child to be educated in a school other than the local school. In December each year, the authority will advertise its arrangements for placing requests. There are sound educational reasons for trying to ensure that the transfer or admission of children to a school takes place at the start of a school session. Other than those who are moving home, to a new area, parents are advised to time any placing requests so that they take effect from the beginning of the new school session. Every effort will be made to try to meet the parental wishes, but you should note that it is not always possible to grant every placing request to a particular school

Placing requests to Primary School does not necessarily ensure that your child will have a direct entry into the associated secondary. Advice on this must be sought from the Primary School Head Teacher. Further information on placing requests and procedures is available from the school or the council’s website.

Parents and Young People have a right under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2009 as amended by the Education (Additional Support for Learning)(Scotland) Act 2009 to make a placing request for their child or young person to attend a nursery (including partnership nursery), special school, special class managed by the home authority. In the event of a successful placing request the authority are not required to provide transport. The Act also enables parents and young people to make a placing request to attend a school/establishment belonging to another authority.

Composite Classes

What is a composite class?

Primary schools have pupils at seven broad year stages. Primary one to primary seven. A year stage is defined as a group of pupils entering primary education at a common date.

Composite classes are those where children of one, two or more year stages are grouped together to form a class.

Why are composite classes formed?

Schools are staffed to agreed standards based on the total number of pupils within the school regardless of the numbers of pupils at each year stage. This means that head teachers are required to take management decisions to organise classes to make best use of available staff resources and space. Balancing up the various factors involves both educational and organisational considerations.

How are classes formed ?

In Dunrobin Primary School the criteria used when forming Composite classes is as follows;

When forming a composite Primary 1/2 class, age of children starting school may be the determining factor.

For any other composite class the criteria will be based on ‘Working Groups’. This means that children who are able to work together on similar maths or language tasks will be the determining factor.

If you require more information regarding Composite classes please contact the school or visit NLC website www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk

CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE

Curriculum for Excellence aims to achieve a transformation in education in Scotland by providing an improved, more flexible and enriched curriculum for all children and young people from 3 – 18. The curriculum includes all of the experiences which are planned for children and young people through their education, wherever they are being educated. All schools and nurseries in North Lanarkshire are working hard to raise standards so that children and young people will develop all of the skills necessary to continue to be successful when leaving school and entering the world of higher education, training or work.

Curriculum for Excellence is underpinned by the values inscribed on the mace of the Scottish Parliament – wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity. The purpose of Curriculum for Excellence is encapsulated in the four capacities – to enable each child or young person to be a successful learner, a confident individual, a responsible citizen and an effective contributor.

What are the curriculum areas in Curriculum for Excellence?

There are eight curriculum areas:-

Expressive Arts	Religious and Moral Education

Health and Well Being	Sciences

Languages (literacy)	Social Studies

Mathematics (numeracy)	Technologies

Importantly, literacy and numeracy are given added importance because these skills are so vital in everyday life. All teachers will have responsibility to teach literacy and numeracy.

Our pupils follow a carefully planned curriculum based on the The Curriculum for Excellence, CfE will support all children and you people in developing skills which they will use throughout their life and in their work, including the development of pre-vocational, enterprising and employability skills, personal skills, high levels of cognitive skills and the opportunity to put learning into a practical context. In Dunrobin Primary school these skills for life and skills for work are embedded across all curriculum areas and include learning which falls within a broad definition of ‘vocational’; that is learning which is generally about the development of pre-vocational and employability skills which will be made use of in future working life.

A strong focus on literacy and numeracy is essential; all children and young people require these skills to gain access to learning and to succeed in life. Confidence and competence in literacy and numeracy provide foundations for lifelong learning.

Dunrobin Primary School strongly encourage pupils to participate in setting learning targets. Pupils are required to reflect on their achievements and to take responsibility for their own learning. We believe that greater ownership of personal learning leads to confidence and a sense of success through achievement. Parents are kept regularly informed about their child’s progress through individual pupils ‘Reflective Learning Journeys’, Parent Consultations and various school events throughout the year.

Learning is divided into two phases.

The Broad Education (BGE) is from nursery to the end of Secondary School Year 3. Learning is divided into levels.

The levels are as follows:-

LEVEL	STAGE

Early	the pre-school years and P1 or later for some

First	to the end of P.4 but earlier or later for some

Second	to the end of P7, but earlier or later for some

Third and fourth	S1-S3, but earlier for some

Senior Phase	S4-S6 and college or other means of study

How will my child’s learning be assessed?

In Dunrobin Primary School assessment and tracking of pupil’s learning progress is undertaken by teachers throughout the year. This involves looking at a broad range of evidence, such as pupil’s work, information from day to day learning and teaching, practical application of learning and formal assessment. Assessment will investigate how well children and young people learn, how much they learn and how their learning and thinking skills are developing. Learners and parents are involved in monitoring and tracking progress, as learners agree and work towards targets as set out in individual ‘Reflective Learning Journeys’.

New qualifications include :-

National 4 and 5 qualifications from 2013/2014

Access, Highers and Advanced Highers to be updated to reflect Curriculum for Excellence

New Highers in most subjects were introduced in almost all North Lanarkshire schools in August 2014

In playrooms and classrooms staff will be using improved ways of assessing children’s learning taking account of national and local advice and guidance. Your child’s progress will be reported to you so that you know how well your child is doing.

Each year your nursery/school will let you know what is being done to implement Curriculum for Excellence so that you can be confident that your child is receiving a high quality education.

Teaching and assessment for all curricular areas is built on the experiences and outcomes of Curriculum for Excellence.

LANGUAGES/LITERACY

This area of the curriculum is divided into four areas, reading, writing, talking and listening

In Dunrobin Primary School the Language curriculum is planned to ensure that our pupils become effective communicators and fluent, independent readers who value reading both as an educational tool and as a leisure activity.

The pupils also read a wide variety of children’s literature, both fiction and non-fiction, as part of their daily reading programme.

MATHEMATICS AND NUMERACY

We follow national and authority guidance in mathematics and problem solving.

In maths we encourage the children to develop their mathematical understanding through mental arithmetic, problem solving and basic numeracy.

Various skills are practiced. We allow ample opportunity for children to develop mathematical concepts of shape, measure, time etc. This is done in a practical and meaningful way and can be linked to other areas of the curriculum.

Children are taught how to use a calculator properly and computers, maths games and equipment such as the “iPads” are all given their place in the mathematics timetable.

Problem solving begins right from the start and even some of our P1s are very able in this aspect of maths!

Children are also shown how to collect, organise, display and interpret information from graphs and databases even from the earliest stages in the school. Information handling is completed in a very practical manner, often linked to other areas of the curriculum, especially Interdisciplinary Learning and ICT.

Children continue to develop Active Maths in P1-7, in line with Curriculum for Excellence.

CURRICULUM, ASSESSMENT and REPORTING TO PARENTS

Assessment is on-going throughout the year in all areas of the curriculum. Children are tracked in literacy and numeracy and these results are monitored to ensure progression.

The level your child is working at will be reported to you in his/her school reports from the teacher. Your child should be aware of the level they are working towards and their next steps in learning.

There are opportunities during the school year when you may speak to your child’s teacher at length:

Term 2 (November)	Parent Consultation

Term 3 (May)	Parent Consultation

Should you be at all concerned about the progress your child is making please do not hesitate to contact the school at any point throughout the year.

A CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE

You can visit the Curriculum for Excellence website or Parent Zone for more information.

www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence

www.ltscotland.org.uk/parentzone

Should you wish any further information about these areas please do not hesitate to contact the school.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

In Dunrobin Primary School we feel that it is vitally important to the well-being of our pupils that all are treated fairly and that all should feel valued. We expect that the pupils in turn should value and respect each other and other members of the school and the wider community.

All pupils are encouraged to work hard and do their best in all areas of the curriculum. Our school staff are aware of the need to ensure that pupils consider all the options open to them and do not fall into stereotypical choices.

We also believe that all pupils should be able to take part in all school activities. Extra curricular activities are available to all children.

Our pupils are actively encouraged to respect each other’s needs and to reject ideas of racial or religious intolerance.

We aim to ensure that the school community is aware of the need to guard against discrimination of any kind.

The school is committed to assessing all policies and practices to ensure there are no negative impact on any group of people.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Technical Guidance for Schools in Scotland is the essential guide for the school community to promote equality. This information can be accessed at:

http://www.equlityhumanrights.com/publication/technical-guidance-schools-scotland

IDL

Raising Achievement for All forms the overarching strategy for the service. Subtitled ‘Experiences to Last a Lifetime’, this strategy aims to harness the combined forces of Learning and Leisure Services to provide a rich set of learning opportunities and experiences for young people and adults which begin in the classroom, nursery or learning centre and extend out into the community and the wider world beyond. In seeking to offer ‘Experiences to Last a Lifetime’, we will also look to draw upon ‘a lifetime of experiences’ already there in the communities which make up North Lanarkshire.”

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Dunrobin Primary School offers many extracurricular activities to our pupils. Some clubs run throughout the school year and these include : netball, football, gardening and choir. Various after school activities including Mini Movers, Mini Kickers, Badminton & Athletics run for 6 or 8 week blocks and may be organised by school staff or active school co-ordinators.

IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Improvement Priorities for 2017/2018

Monitoring & tracking of pupil progress using Literacy and Numeracy benchmarks, holistic assessment, teacher’s professional judgement and assessment data, moderation and achievement of a level cycle.

Developing a collaborative approach to self-evaluation using key educational documents, HGIOS 4 and National Improvement Framework.

Effective partnership working with the local community and beyond.

Review of arrangements for safeguarding and child protection.

How are we developing these ideas in Dunrobin?

As part of our School Improvement Plan 2017/2018 we are continuing to develop the Curriculum for Excellence principles. You can visit the Curriculum for Excellence website or Parent zone for more information on:

www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence

www.ltscotland.org.uk/parentzone

Dunrobin Primary is an inclusive community where pupils are encouraged to develop a strong ethos of caring, tolerance and respect for one another. We aim to create a happy, welcoming, attractive atmosphere encouraging pupils and staff to develop a desire for lifelong learning. We provide a broad, balanced curriculum appropriate to the needs of all individuals. By encouraging pupils to take pride in their achievements and celebrate one another’s achievements the children develop independence, motivation and self-discipline. We continue to take positive steps to ensure that all pupils are happy, safe and healthy.

Pupils continue to make very good progress in Literacy and Language. Our rigorous and systematic programme of monitoring Learning and Teaching has shown evidence of pupils being actively involved in the learning process, with pupils being more aware of their strengths and successfully setting individual targets. Staff consistently share learning intentions and success criteria with pupils, which enable them to be aware of achievements and next steps in their learning. Pupil choice is actively encouraged and learners are successfully transferring their skills across various areas of the curriculum. A range of formative assessment techniques and high-quality feedback are used regularly in all classrooms, including the use of peer and self-assessment.

Pupils are engaged and motivated in mathematics and continue to progress very well. Pupils are encouraged to develop a secure understanding of the concepts, principles and processes of mathematics and apply these in different contexts. Monitoring of pupil learning by SMT has shown that children are showing increased mathematical skills in a real life context. In dialogue with pupils, they have been articulate in describing how they will use the skills learned in maths in future life. Opportunities for outdoor learning in maths and other curricular areas has increased and benefitted pupils by improving motivation and pupil engagement. Children also now benefit more from cooperative learning opportunities where they learn through discussion with their peers and problem solving approaches.

Our pupils contribute effectively and responsibly to the life of the school and the wider community. They are involved in the decision making process through our House system where children are organized across all stages into four different houses as follows:

Loch Lomond – Green

Loch Ness – Red

Loch Rannoch – Yellow

Loch Katrine – Blue

Pupils are also encouraged to contribute to the life of the school and the decision making process through our Pupil Council and Pupil Voice Groups. They take a lead role in deciding how they can be involved in a positive and appropriate way within their community. Elected members represent the views and opinions of the whole school, allowing all children to be involved in decision making in a real context.

Details of the most recent school inspection can be obtained from Education Scotland www.educationscotland.gov.uk

In Dunrobin Primary we are highly committed to improving our school and realise the importance of including all stakeholders particularly parents and Carers in the process of taking our school forward. One of our priorities is to involve more parents & carers in the life of the school & to develop family groups to target children requiring support. Staff will continue to work collaboratively to evaluate and enhance the learning and teaching taking place in Dunrobin Primary School.

A CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE

You can visit the Curriculum for Excellence website or Parent Zone for more information.

www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence

www.ltscotland.org.uk/parentzone

Should you wish any further information about these areas please do not hesitate to contact the school.

HOMEWORK

Pupils are normally given homework at every stage in the school. Work at home is encouraged for two reasons - it increases children’s independent learning and it allows parents to work with their child. It also allows parents to see what work is being done in school.

Homework should not take more than 15 - 30 minutes to complete and children should be stopped from working if they appear to be experiencing difficulty with it. A note to this effect in the homework jotter would alert teachers to any problems. Work given includes reading, spelling, maths, written language work or, for the upper school pupils, some research work for a topic. It would be appreciated if parents would supervise the neatness and legibility of written homework and sign the page, to show that they have checked over the work done. No work will be given to children absent as a result of going on holiday during school term. Additional work will be set when the children return to class.

SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL, MORAL AND CULTURAL VALUES

Parents/Guardians from ethnic minority religious communities may request that their children be permitted to be absent from school in order to celebrate recognised religious events. Only written requests will be considered. Appropriate requests will be granted on not more than three occasions in any one school session and the pupil noted as an authorised absentee in the register.

ASSESSMENT/REPORTING TO PARENTS

Assessment of a child’s work is a continuous, ongoing process. Each time a teacher opens a pupil’s jotter, looks at a piece of work, listens to a story, etc. she is assessing some aspect of the pupil’s progress. Assessment is therefore mainly done through observation of pupil’s work and records of this are kept in pupil profiles and class checklists.

SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES

All pupils enjoy the family atmosphere of a class assembly. School assemblies are closely integrated with the life and work of the school. School assemblies prove to be an enjoyable educational experience for all with pupil participation being the keynote.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS

Dunrobin Primary complies with Learning (Scotland) Act 2004 as amended by the Education (Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) Act 2009

North Lanarkshire Council’s policy is contained within “Support for Learning Policy into Practice 2”, a copy of which is available in the School. The school has a Support for Learning Policy, available from the school on request, which is consistent with North Lanarkshire Council guidelines.

Each class teacher is responsible for the teaching and learning of every child in the class by providing a suitable programme for the needs of each pupil. Further advice and support are available from specialists both inside and outwith the school. Many children experience learning difficulties at some time during their education and require some additional support either on a short or long term basis.

We try to ensure that problems are identified as quickly as possible. If a pupil is identified as having a specific difficulty, a personal programme of work is organised. Parents are informed and invited into school to discuss how school and parents can work together to overcome the difficulty.

The school operates the education authorities staged intervention approach, that is:

Level 1 - where education staff identify that a child or young person needs support or planning which can be met within the school using classroom and whole school resources Level 2 – Requesting support from within Education Youth and Communities (services/resources outwith school) e.g Educational Psychologist, Community Learning and Development Level 3 – Requesting support from another agency (Joint working with partner agency/agencies including 3rd Sector). When further planning is required to further develop the wellbeing of children and young people the Named Person may request assistance from colleagues in partner agencies. Level 4 – Integrated and Compulsory working with other agency/agencies. Targeted intervention(s) required to promote the wellbeing of the child would be identified by relevant agencies (child’s Network of Support) and included in the Child’s Plan. A Lead Professional would be identified. At level 4 there would an expectation that a statutory Child’s Plan with integrated assessment, integrated chronology and Lead Professional is in place.

Looked After Children i.e. children who are cared for directly or whose care is supervised by the local authority are deemed to have Additional Support Needs unless assessment determines otherwise.

Support and guidance are available for English as a second language through the education authority.

PLANNING

Additional Support Plans (ASPs) enable staff to plan effectively for children and young people with Additional Support Needs.

Some children and young people may require significant support from education and at least one other agency, such as health, social work and/or voluntary agency to help them meet their learning targets. Where this support requires a high level of co-ordination the opening of a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) may be considered.

A CSP may be initiated by the school or another agency.

Parents and young people can, if they wish, request that a CSP be considered and would be involved in the process. Parents will receive letters from the Education Authority throughout the CSP process. Parents and young people will be invited to take part in multi-agency meetings and their views will be recorded in the plan.

Dispute Resolution

North Lanarkshire Council is committed to resolving any differences of views through discussion, dialogue and building on common ground.

If the matter cannot be resolved with the Education Authority you have the right to request mediation. An independent mediation service is available to parents and young people through Resolve (see contact details at the back of this handbook). Mediation is free and independent of the Education Authority.

In the event that a disagreement cannot be resolved through mediation, then an application for Independent Adjudication (see contact details at the back of this

handbook) can be made by parents free of charge. The Independent Adjudicator will make recommendations to the Education Authority about how the dispute should be resolved.

The Additional Support Needs Tribunal has been set up to hear appeals made by parents or young people on the decisions made by the Education Authority relating to Co-ordinated Support Plans, placing requests and post school transition. If you disagree with any decision relating to your child’s Co-ordinated Support Plan, either the creation of a CSP, or the content of it, you may be entitled to refer to the Tribunal.

ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

Section 30 of the 1980 Education Act lays a duty on every parent of a child of “school age” to ensure that their child attends school regularly. Attendance must be recorded twice a day, morning and afternoon.

The attendance of children at school is compulsory and is the responsibility of parents. Parents are asked to inform the school if their child is likely to be absent and to give the child a note on his-her return to school - with a reason for the absence. If it is felt that a child is not attending as regularly as he should the following steps may be taken –

1. The issue of an Absence Enquiry note to the parents.

2. The sending of an Attendance Officer to the home to investigate the unexplained absence.

3.	The referral of the case to the Attendance Committee which has the power to write to, interview or prosecute parents or to refer the pupil to the Reporter of the Children’s Hearings if necessary.

Regulation 7 of the Education (School and Placing Information) (Scotland) Amendment, Etc Regulations 1993 requires each child’s absence from school to be recorded in the school register as authorised or unauthorised. As defined by the Scottish Government.

Every effort should be made to avoid family holidays during term time as this both disrupts the child’s education and reduces learning time. Parents/guardians should inform the school by letter of the dates before going on holiday. Such absence will be authorised only in exceptional circumstances such circumstances may include:-

A family holiday judged to be important to the wellbeing and cohesion of the family, following serious or terminal illness, bereavement or other traumatic events, may be classified as an exceptional circumstance.

A family holiday classified under the ‘authorised absence’ category will not include such reasons as:

The availability of cheap holidays

The availability of desired accommodation

Poor weather experience during school holidays

Holidays which overlap the beginning or end of term

Parental difficulty obtaining leave (except in cases where evidence is provided by the employer that cannot accommodate leave during school holidays without serious consequences.

Family holidays with the above similar characteristics will be classified as unauthorised absence. Where the head teacher’s prior agreement has not been sought the absence will automatically be classed as unauthorised.

Where most family holidays will be recorded as unauthorised absence (see above) extended leave with parental consent will not be considered the same as a family holiday. Leave in such circumstances will be authorized under circumstances such as:

Extended overseas educational trips not organised by the school

Short-term parental placement abroad

Family returning to its country of origin (to care for a relative, or for cultural reasons)

Leave in relation to the children of travelling families.

Parents may request permission for such leave in writing and the school may authorise such requests under the following circumstances:

The period immediately after an accident or illness

A period of serious or critical illness of a close relative

A domestic crisis which causes serious disruption to the family home, causing temporary relocation.

The Head Teacher is responsible for the monitoring of pupils’ attendance and, in particular, pupils whose attendance is giving cause for concern.

HOME/SCHOOL LINKS

The school endeavours to maintain a close working relationship with parents. Parents are always welcome at school, not just at prearranged parents’ evenings. It is considered of paramount importance that parents and teachers have a positive working relationship in the educating of children. All parents, carers (and grandparents) are welcome to come to the school and help with a number of activities. Parents with any particular expertise or

interest are welcome. Please let us know if you can help. Please note that all helpers will require to be police checked under the “Disclosure for Scotland Act”.13c)

OUT OF SCHOOL LEARNING

Clubs, organised by staff/parents/friends are held in school either at lunchtime or from 3.00pm – 4.00pm these include: Football, Netball, Choir, Taekwondo, etc. These clubs vary from year to year.

A Residential trip to Kilbowie for Primary 7 pupils is organised each year where pupils participate in a number of outdoor and indoor pursuits.

POSITIVE APPROACH TO DISCIPLINE

Dunrobin Primary School is concerned with the moral, social, physical and intellectual development of its pupils as well as fostering the qualities of independence, self-reliance, leadership, etc, including the qualities of conduct required for living with others.

At all times within the school day the interests and the well-being of all pupils must be safe-guarded. With this in mind, pupils are made familiar with school routine and the Golden Rules which are outlined below.

It must be appreciated however that there are occasions both within the classroom situation and probably more commonly within the corridor and playground situation when a pupil breaks one of the Golden Rules.

In order to maintain a good teaching/learning atmosphere within the classroom and to protect the class and the school community, disciplinary action is taken either by the class teacher or a member of the promoted staff, when such a situation arises.

In line with our Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy, when a pupil breaks a school rule a verbal warning is given. If the behaviour persists a red traffic light will be issued, followed by a loss of 5 minutes of golden time. Pupils are rewarded with stickers and certificates for good work, behaviour and keeping The Golden Rules. Awards form part of our weekly, whole school assemblies. Pupils have the opportunity to earn back any lost golden time.

Parents will be informed in writing when a child continues to break the ‘Golden Rules’. We ask you, the child’s parent or guardian, to sign the letter, adding comment if desired and to return it to the school on the following morning. When parents, teachers and pupils work together, this initiative is a good way of recognizing and rewarding the good manners and good behaviour of the majority of pupils in Dunrobin Primary School.

In our experience the involvement and/or intervention of parents is very often enough to resolve the problem. However, in extreme situations, the school will have no choice but to exclude pupils whose behaviour presents a threat to the maintenance of good discipline and the safety of others staff and pupils within the school.

The Golden Rules

Do be gentle – Do not hurt anyone

Do be kind and helpful – Do not hurt people’s feelings

Do work hard – Do not waste yours or other people’s time

Do look after property – Do not waste or damage things

Do listen to people – Do not interrupt

Do be honest – Do not cover up the truth

ANTI-BULLYING

As part of our promoting positive behaviour within the school all pupils take part in Circle Time and Golden Time and children are rewarded for keeping the Golden Rules. Our Anti-Bullying Policy forms part of the positive ethos of our school.

Bullying in school can only be effective dealt with if parents, teachers and pupils work together to help find a solution. It is necessary to acknowledge that bullying does exist and is common to all schools in some degree and form. It should therefore consistently be given a high profile with the school, where an open, caring and supporting climate should exist.

The recording of bullying or alleged bullying incidents are recorded electronically as part of the school monitoring system.

School Response to Bullying

Initially, class teachers deal with any reports on bullying. If bullying is then repeated, the Head Teacher/Depute Head Teacher will be informed and may conduct interviews, offer support, offer counselling, contact parents, set up a conduct card to monitor behaviour. The course of action will depend on the severity of the issue.

Parents can support the school by allowing staff sufficient time to deal with issues, which can at times be complex.

No Hitting Policy

In the school’s efforts to minimise incidents of bullying, it must be stated that any form of physical retaliation is unacceptable.

The school has a worry box for children to use if they want to discuss any issues with the Head Teacher or Depute Head Teacher. The children are reminded that we treat all concerns seriously.

SUPERVISION OF PLAYGROUNDS

An adult presence is provided in playgrounds at break times in terms of the Schools (Safety and Supervision of Pupils) (Scotland) Regulations 1990.

There is additional playground supervision in the Infant Playground from 8.45am.

CLOTHING AND UNIFORM

All North Lanarkshire Schools must have a dress code which encourages pupils to dress in a way which is appropriate to attendance at school. This dress code must not lead to direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, gender or disability. Prior to drawing up the dress code the parents, pupils and staff were fully consulted. It is the expectation of the education authority that parents will be keen to support the dress code and written agreement may be sought.

Clothing which is unacceptable in school under any circumstances includes items which:

Could potentially encourage factions (e.g.football colours);

Could cause offence (e.g. anti-religious symbolism or political slogans);

Could cause health and safety difficulties such as loose fitting clothing, dangling earrings; and other potentially dangerous jewellery.

Are of flammable materials which may be a danger in certain classes (e.g. Shell Suits);

Could cause damage to flooring;

Carry advertising in particular for alcohol or tobacco; and

Could be used to inflict damage on other pupils or to be used by others to do so.

Parents in receipt of a clothing grant from the Council will be encouraged to purchase items which are in accordance with the school dress code. Approval of any requests for such grants in other circumstances are at the discretion of the Assistant Chief Executive, Education, Youth and Communities. Information and application forms may be obtained from any school or First Stop Shops. Parents are entitled to receive a clothing grant if they are in receipt of any of the following benefits: Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (income based). Employment & Support Allowance (income related), Universal Credit, housing benefit, council tax rebate.

Whilst in general terms it would not normally be the policy of the authority to exclude a pupil from school solely on the basis of his/her dress, persistent refusal to respond to a reasonable dress code might be deemed to be a serious challenge to the head teacher’s

authority and be detrimental to the wellbeing of the whole school community. In such circumstances a head teacher may justify the use of the school discipline procedure.

The council wishes to minimise claims arising from the loss of pupils’ clothing and/or personal belongings. Parents are asked to assist in this area by ensuring that valuable items and unnecessarily expensive items of clothing, jewellery, etc, are not brought to school. Parents should note that and any claims submitted to cover the loss of such items are likely to be met only where the authority can be shown to have been negligent.

DUNROBIN SCHOOL UNIFORM

Boys:	Brown blazer with badge (or fleece for outdoor use), gold shirt, polo shirt, school tie, brown trousers and brown sweatshirt.

Girls:	Brown blazer with badge, (or fleece for outdoor use), gold blouse, polo shirt, school tie, brown skirt or pinafore dress, brown cardigan, brown sweatshirt.

Uniforms are supplied from Trutex	Trutex

Main Street	35B Argyle Street Station

Wishaw	Glasgow

Tel : 01698 374000	Tel : 0141 221 4472

PE Kit:

Boys:	Gym shoes, socks, shorts, T-shirt/polo shirt

Girls:	Gym shoes, socks, shorts, T-shirt/polo shirt

Trainers used for outdoor wear should not be used for PE.

Please note that gym shoes are highly recommended for gymnastic activities. Socks only, slippers or bare feet are expressly forbidden for safety reasons, viz stubbed toes, splinters, fire drill and emergency evacuations.

It is strongly advised that parents have their children’s names marked on all clothing for identification purposes.

SCHOOL MEALS

School meals are cooked on the premises. You can view the Primary School Menu at www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/school meals.

The availability of special diets as a result of a medical condition can be provided in school. A medically prescribed diet form must be completed by the child’s Registered Dietician or General Practitioner.

The Kitchen staff are aware of which children are eligible for a free school meal. Children of parents receiving Income Support, Universal Credit, Job Seekers Allowance (income based), Employment & Support Allowance (income related) are entitled to a meal without charge.

As of January 2015, all P1-P3 pupils are entitled to a free school meal.

All schools in North Lanarkshire will be operating a ‘Cashless’ system. Each child will be issued with a card (which will be kept in the school). Cards can be topped up using the REVAL MACHINE in the Dinner Hall or Parents can top this up using the on-line system. If you have any queries please contact Facility Support Services on 01236 856074.

Early Years Provision – If your child is aged between 2 and 4 years and attends a North Lanarkshire Council or Partnership Provider Nursery, in the middle of the day, may now or in the future be entitled to a free meal. Parents must be in receipt of any of the qualifying benefits above or in receipt of State Pension Credit or Incapacity and Severe Disablement Allowance. Your child will also be entitled if they are or have been at any point since their second birthday looked after; the subject of a kinship care or guardianship order.

Information and application forms for free school meals may be obtained from schools, first stop shops and Municipal Buildings, Coatbridge.

Parents are entitled to receive a clothing grant if they are in receipt of any of the following benefits: Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (income based). Employment & Support Allowance (income related), universal credit, housing benefit, council tax rebate.

Only those children who receive a free school meal are entitled to free milk. Milk will however be available for purchase in the school during the lunch period.

PACKED LUNCHES

Provision for pupils taking a packed lunch is made within the school with supervision.

TRANSPORT

The Council has a policy of providing free transport to all primary pupils who live more than one mile from their local school by the shortest suitable walking route. This policy is more generous than the law requires. This provision may be reviewed at any time. Parents who consider they are eligible should obtain an application form from the school or from Education, Youth and Communities. These forms should be completed and returned before the end of February for those pupils beginning school in August to enable the appropriate arrangements to be made. Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year but may be subject to delay whilst arrangements are made. There is discretion in certain circumstances to grant privilege transport for pupils to travel in transport provided by the authority, where spare places are available and no additional costs are incurred.
While free transport is provided it may be necessary for pupils to walk a certain distance to the vehicle pick-up point. Walking distance in total, including the distance from home to the pick-up point and from the drop-off point to the school in any one direction, will not exceed the authority’s limits (see above paragraph). It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure their child arrives at the pick-up point in time. It is also the parent’s responsibility to ensure the child behaves in a safe and acceptable manner while boarding, travelling in and alighting from the vehicle. Misbehaviour could result in a loss of the right to free transport.
The council does not provide transport for those pupils in receipt of a placing request other than in exceptional circumstances. In the case of early entry requests if the child is offered a place in the catchment area school, transport will be provided in accordance with the Council’s policy stated above.

MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE

Pupils are examined by the school medical officer in P1 and P7. Permission slips to enable this to happen, are issued at the start of each session. The local school nurse makes regular visits to the school to give advice on medical problems. Where necessary, facilities are available to test eyesight and hearing. The school dentist can be utilised when required. If a child takes ill at school or has an accident, it may be necessary to arrange that the child is returned home. It is therefore essential that the school be informed of an emergency address, e.g. grandparents, other relative, or family friend who lives locally that can take charge of the child. Please inform us if your child has any particular medical requirements.

It is a good preventative treatment, if all parents check children’s heads on a weekly basis for head lice. If you find anything then you should treat it accordingly and notify the school. Once your child has been treated they can return to school. The school will notify the school nurse who will then contact you to discuss this matter.

Public Health Nurse:	Carol Hayes

Airdrie Health Centre

Airdrie

Tel: 01236 772200

INFORMATION IN EMERGENCIES

We make every effort to maintain a full educational service, but on	some occasions circumstances arise which lead to disruption. For example, schools may be affected by severe weather, temporary interruption of transport, power failures or difficulties of fuel supply. In such cases we shall do all we can to let you know about the details of closure or re-opening. We shall keep you informed by using letters, notices in local shops and community centres, announcements in local churches and announcements in the press and on local radio on North Lanarkshire Council’s website and Twitter.

THE PARENT FORUM

Every parent is a member of the Parent Forum.

As a member of the Parent Forum you can expect to:

get information about what your child is learning

get information about events and activities at the school

get advice/help on how you can support your child's learning

be told about opportunities to be involved in the school

have a say in selecting a Parent Council to work on behalf of all parents at the school

be invited to identify issues for the Parent Council to work on with the school.

The Parent Council

The Parent Council’s rights and duties include:

supporting the work of the school

representing the views of parents

consulting with parents and reporting back to the Parent Forum on matters of interest

promoting contact between the school, parents, pupils, providers of nursery education and the wider community

fundraising

taking part in the selection of senior promoted staff

receiving reports from the head teacher and education authority

receiving an annual budget for administration, training and other expenses

improving home school partnership and facilitating parental involvement

Members of Parent Councils, on a voluntary basis, may also have an advisory role in decisions on placing requests by parents in respect of those situations where the number of placing requests for a particular school or for a particular stage in a particular school exceeds the number of places available.

Any parents of a child at the school can volunteer to be a member of the Parent Council. In the event that the number of volunteers exceeds the number of places set out in the constitution, members will be selected by names out of a hat. Anyone not selected to be a member of the Parent Council may be offered the opportunity to be part of any sub-groups set up by the Council.

The membership will be a minimum of three parents of children attending the school. The maximum size is 15.

Our PTA/Parent Council is known as The Dunrobin Parent Partnership and our members are:

Janet West (Chairperson)	Tracy Hughes (Vice Chairperson)

Debbie Wright	Liz Muldoon

Gill McGinness	Carol Hassard

Wendy Baxter	Sarah Phillip

Julie Smith	Vicki Shields

Agnes Montgomery (Parent Council Clark)

Lynn McCluskey (Teaching Staff)

The Head Teacher has a right and duty to attend all meetings of the Parent Council. Parents are welcome to attend Parent Council Meetings as observers. The Parent Council Website is www.dunrobinparentcouncil.org.uk

TRANSFER FROM PRIMARY TO SECONDARY SCHOOL

Pupils normally transfer between the ages of 11 ½ and 12 ½ years so that they will have the opportunity to complete at least 4 years of secondary education. Parents will be informed of the arrangements no later than December of the year preceding the date of transfer at the start of the new session.

Pupils from Dunrobin Primary School normally transfer to Caldervale High School, Towers Road, Airdrie. Telephone number: 01236 794855.

CHILD PROTECTION

Every adult in Scotland has a role in ensuring all our children and young people are safe and protected from harm at all times and in all situations.

The Head Teacher is responsible for the schools actions in response to Child Protection concerns.

If there is any Child Protection concerns the Head Teacher or the Child Protection Co-ordinator will follow North Lanarkshire Child Protection Procedures and Guidelines

Child Protection Co-ordinator is:	Eileen Watters (Head Teacher)

Telephone No.:	01236 632064

ADULT PROTECTION

It is our duty to protect vulnerable adults as well as children.

This could be children aged between 16 &18, or vulnerable parents, carers or family members who are unable to safeguard their own wellbeing, property, rights or other interests and who may be at risk of harm because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or mental infirmity.

DATA PROTECTION ACT

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

The processing of your personal information by North Lanarkshire Council is carried out in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. The information you give is held securely, treated confidentially and only used for statutory educational purposes or to improve the quality of the service. Under the Data Protection Act 1998 you are entitled to access the information held. In terms of section 7 of the Act such requests should be sent to Freedom of Information and Records Management Officer.

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 came into force in January 2005. The Act allows anyone to ask for information held by the Council and imposes a time-scale of 20 working days for the Council to respond. To deal with Freedom of Information requests, the Council has appointed a Corporate Freedom of information Officer with the support of an officer in each Service. The Freedom of Information and Records Management Officer can be contacted by telephone on 01698 302484.

Education authorities and the Scottish Government Education Portfolio (SGEP) exchange data about pupils either on paper or electronically through the ScotXed programme.

The data collected and transferred covers areas such as date of birth, postcode, registration for free-school meals, whether a pupil is looked after by his/her local authority, additional support needs including disability, attendance, absence and exclusions from school. Pupil names and addresses are collected by the school and the council but they are not passed to SGEP. The postcode is the only part of the address that is transferred. Data is held securely and no information on individual pupils can be published by SGEP

Providing national identity and ethnic background data is entirely voluntary. You can choose the ‘not disclosed’ option if you do not want to provide this data. However, we hope that the explanations contained in this message and on our website will help you understand the importance of providing the data.

Why do we need your data?

In order to make the best decisions about how to improve our education service, SGEP and education authorities need accurate, up-to-date data about our pupils. We are keen to help all our pupils do well in all aspects of school life and achieve better educational outcomes. Accurate and up-to-date data allows SGEP, education authorities and schools to:

plan and deliver better policies for the benefit of all pupils,

plan and deliver better policies for the benefit of specific groups of pupils,

better understand some of the factors that influence pupil attainment and achievement

target resources better.

Your data protection rights

The collection, transfer, processing and sharing of ScotXed data is done in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. We also comply with the National Statistics Code of Practice requirements and other legislation related to safeguarding the confidentiality of data. The Data Protection Act gives you the right to know how we will use your data. This message can give only a brief description of how we use data. Fuller details of the uses of pupil data can be found on the ScotXed website (www.scotxed.net).

SGEP works with a range of partners including HM Inspectorate of Education and the Scottish Qualifications Authority. On occasion, we will make individual data available to partners and also academic institutions to carry out research and statistical analysis. In addition, we will provide our partners with information they need in order to fulfil their official responsibilities. Any sharing of data will be done under the strict control and prior agreement of the Data Access Panel in SGEP, which will ensure that no subject specific data will be made public as a result of the data sharing and that such data will not be used to take any actions in respect of an individual.

Concerns

If you have any concerns about the ScotXed data collections you can email school.stats@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or write to The ScotXed Support Office, SEGP, Area 1B, Victoria Quay, Leith, EH6 6QQ. Alternative versions of this page are available, on request from the ScotXed Support Office, in other languages, audio tape, braille and large print.

Want more information?

Further details about ScotXed data exchanges are available on the ScotXed website, www.scotxed.net.

ADDENDUM

It may be that industrial action by members of the teaching profession will affect the following matters:

Courses available in the school

The examination and assessment procedures normally carried out by staff

Other events such as extra-curricular activities or parents’ evenings

Parents requiring specific information should contact the school direct.

Although this information is accurate at the time of printing there could be changes affecting any of the matters dealt within the document before the commencement or during the course of the school year in question in relation to subsequent school years.

Education Authorities are required by law to issue a copy of the school handbook to certain parents in December each year. It details the current policies and practices of both the council and the school.

Contacts in relation for Support for Learning

North Locality (Airdrie and Cumbernauld Chryston and Kilsyth)

Karen Clarkston

ICT Support Centre

Caldervale High School

Towers Road

Airdrie

ML6 9PG

Tel: 01236 632233

Helen Delaney may be contacted directly or through the school.

You can also get more help and advice from:

Enquire – the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning. Operated by Children in Scotland, Enquire offers independent confidential advice and information on additional support for learning. Enquire also provide a range of factsheets.

0345 123 2303

info@enquire.irg.uk

www.enquire.org.uk for parents and practitioners

www.enquire.org.uk/yp for children and young people

Resolve

0131 313 8844

(Independent Adjudicator)

Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance

London House

20-22 East London Street

Edinburgh

EH7 4BQ

0131 524 1975

enquiry@siaa.org.uk

www.siaa.org.uk

Reference to Additional Support Needs Tribunal (Scotland)

ASNTS

Europa Building

1 Atlantic Quay

45 Robertson Street

Glasgow

G2 8JB

Helpline : 0141 302 5860

NHS Lanarkshire

Airdrie Health Centre	Social Work

Airdrie	Coats House

Tel : 01236 772200	Gartlea Road

Airdrie

ML6 9JA

Tel : 01236 757000

Relevant Addresses:

Education, Skills and Youth Employment	Area Office

Municipal Buildings	Willowbank House

Kildonan Street	Alexander Street

COATBRIDGE	AIRDRIE

ML5 3BT	ML6 0BA

Airdrie CLD Locality Office	Caldervale High School

Chapelside Community Centre	Towers Road

Waddell Street	Airdrie

Airdrie	ML6 8PG

ML6 6DL	Tel: 01236 766711

Airdrie South Councillors

Councillor Michael Coyle	Councillor Paul Di Mascio

Councillor Ian McNeil	Councillor Sandy Watson

Quality Improvement Manager Tim Sharp

North Lanarkshire Education, Skills and Youth Employment

Municipal Building

Kildonan Street

Coatbridge

ML5 3BT

01236 812222

Continuous Improvement Officer	Margaret Hunter & Jackie Cahill

North Lanarkshire Education, Skills and

Youth Employment

Municipal Building

Kildonan Street

Coatbridge

ML5 3BT

01236 812222