ST€¦ · Web viewPage 31 Transfer from Primary to Secondary. Page 31-32 Making a Complaint. Sharing Information. Your data protection rights. Accuracy of Information. CEC School

Supporting every child to be a confident lifelong learner

School Handbook2017 - 2018

Contents List

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Page 2 Contents ListPage 3 Welcome from the Director of Children and FamiliesPage 4 Children and Families VisionPage 5 Welcome from Head TeacherPage 6 School AimsPage 7 School InformationPage 8 Calendar for yearPage 9 School Hours

Wet BreaksPage 10-12 Breakfast Club and After School Care

Emergency ArrangementsSevere Weather & Unforeseen EmergenciesSchool Uniform

Page 13 Staff & Class OrganisationPage 14 Senior Management Team RemitsPage 15-16 Curriculum for ExcellencePage 17-19 Curricular Areas

Parent ConsultationsPage 20 Positive Relationships and Behaviour PolicyPage 21-23 Health Care & Administration of MedicinesPage 24-25 School Uniform

Meals, Clothing and Milk PaymentsSecurity

Page 26 BullyingPage 27 Home School PartnershipPage 29 Parent CouncilsPage 31 Transfer from Primary to SecondaryPage 31-32 Making a Complaint

Sharing InformationYour data protection rightsAccuracy of InformationCEC School Handbook Web Link

Tollcross Primary School 2


A Foreword from the Director of Children and Families

A Foreword from the Director of Children and Families

Session 2016- 2017

Dear Parents

This brochure contains a range of information about your child’s school which will be of interest to you and your child. It offers an insight into the life and ethos of the school and also offers advice and assistance which you may find helpful in supporting and getting involved in your child’s education.

We are committed to working closely with parents as equal partners in your child's education, in the life of your child's school and in city-wide developments in education.

Parental involvement in the decision making process and in performance monitoring are an integral part of school life. We look forward to developing that partnership with your support.

I am pleased to introduce this brochure for session 2016 -17 and hope that it will provide you with the information you need concerning your child’s school. If you have any queries regarding the contents of the brochure please contact the Head Teacher of your child’s school in the first instance who will be happy to offer any clarification you may need.

Alistair GawActing Executive Director of Communities and Families



Children and Families Vision

Our vision is for all children and young people in Edinburgh to enjoy their childhood and fulfill their potential.We believe that children and young people do best when:

they are able to live safely and happily within their own families with the right kind of support as needed

they attend first class, inclusive schools and early years settings which meet their needs

We will do all we can to strengthen support for families, schools and communities to meet their children's needs.Our mission is to place children, young people and families at the heart of our service and provide support when it is needed throughout childhood and the transition to adulthood.Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to Tollcross Primary School; where we are dedicated to supporting all our pupils to become confident and successful lifelong learners.As Head Teacher I am delighted you have chosen Tollcross for your child’s Primary School. As a school community we look forward to working with you to give your child



the best possible learning experiences to allow them to reach their full potential. Our updated Handbook aims to give you information about the organisation of the school and the learning environment your child will be part of during their time with us.To make our handbook easy to use I’ve divided the information into five different sections :-

o Section One – Practical Information about the School

o Section Two – Parental Involvement in the School

o Section Three – School Curriculum

o Section Four – Support for Pupils

o Section Five – School Improvement

Additional information can be found on our school website or you may wish to contact me at the school, appointments can be arranged by telephone, email or through the school office. I will be pleased to help you in any way that I can.Our staff at Tollcross look forward to working in partnership with you and I am sure that your child’s learning journey at Tollcross will be a happy one.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Alice BrownHead Teacher

School Aims:

Tollcross is a caring, safe and stimulating learning community where we aim to;

Provide an inclusive child centered learning environment of the highest quality

Support every child to become a responsible, successful and confident lifelong learner



Place the social and emotional wellbeing of our school community at the heart of all we do

Promote active home and school partnerships to enrich pupil experience and achievement

We aim to provide all members of staff with opportunities to participate in programmes of Continuing Professional Development matched to individual needs through the process of Professional Development and Review (teachers) and Performance, Review and Development (non teachers).



School InformationName of School: Tollcross Primary School

Address: 117 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9QG

Telephone No: 0131 229 7828

Fax No: 0131 229 5838

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.tollcross.edin.sch.uk

School Roll 2016/2017

Stage Number of Children

P1a 20P1b 19P2 30P3a 25

P3b 23P4 24P5 25P6 20

P7 27

total 213

Stages covered: Primary 1 - 7

Co-educational: Admits boys and girls

Parent Council: There is an active Parent Council which incorporates fundraising in their work

Pupil Council: One representative from Primaries 1 – 7 are elected by their peers at the start of every session.


http://www.tollcross.edin.sch.uk/

mailto:[email protected]


Autumn

Term starts Wednesday 16 August 2017

Mid-term holidays

Monday 18 September 2017, Autumn holiday

Monday 16 October 2017 – Tuesday 24 October 2017, mid term break

Term ends Friday 22 December 2017

Christmas holidays

Monday 25 December 2017 – Tuesday 9 January 2018

Spring

Term starts Wednesday 10 January 2018

Mid-term holidays

Monday 12 February 2018 - Friday 16 February 2018, mid term break

Term ends Thursday 29 March 2018

Easter holidays

Monday 30 March 2018- Monday 16 April 2018

Summer

Term starts Tuesday 17 April 2018

Mid-term holidays

Monday 7 May 2018, May Day

Tuesday 8 May 2018 Closed to pupils

Monday 21 May 2018, Victoria Day

Term ends Friday 29 June 2018

Registration and enrolment



The date for registration of new school entrants is advertised [in all local nurseries] in the local press and on the council’s website www.edinburgh.gov.uk. Registration for Primary One and First Year Secondary takes place in November each year. Pupils should be registered in only one school for their catchment area. Parents will be provided with information about the school, when they register their child. Parents who want to send their child to a school other than the catchment school must make a placing request. Please refer to section four of this handbook for more information on placing requests.Parents of pupils who have moved into the catchment area or, who wish their child to transfer to the school, should contact the school office for information.

School HoursSchool Begins: 8.55amMorning Interval: 10.30 – 10.45Lunchtime: P1–P2: 12.10-1.10pm; P3–P7: 12.25-1.10pmSchool ends: Monday – Thursday: P1-P2: 3.15pm; P3–P7: 3.20pm

Friday: P1-P2: 12.20pm; P3–P7: 12.30pm

At the beginning of the school session the new pupils in Primary 1 arrive at 8.55am and finish their school day at 12 Noon for the first two weeks, after which they have the same hours as the children in P2.

Wet BreakOn very wet mornings children should arrive at the school no earlier than 8.40am (unless they attend breakfast club) and enter the building via the school dining room entrance. Children will be supervised by the School staff until 8.55am when they will be sent to classes.

Breakfast Club & After School CareA breakfast club is available along with after school care facilities are provided by Gingerbread within the school campus and the Manager can be contacted on Tel: ,


http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/


general enquiries can be answered Tel: 478 1319 or 078259258496 for further details of their service.

Occasional & Emergency ArrangementsNotification will be given to children and their parents/carers, who for any reasons of an educational visit or after school activity, will finish outside normal school hours. On occasions, when returning to school from any such activity that occurs in the evening, parents will be made aware of collection arrangements.

Severe Weather & Unforeseen EmergenciesWe will make every effort to maintain a full educational service, but on some occasions circumstances arise which lead to disruption. Schools may be affected for example by severe weather. In case of any unforeseen emergencies, every effort will be made to contact all parents to make arrangements for pupils. Pupils will never be sent home without first ascertaining there is someone to receive them and any children for whom arrangements cannot be made will be kept in school until the end of the normal school day. Therefore it is important that the school is kept informed of any changes to your address, telephone number or emergency contact details to ensure that our records remain accurate. We shall keep you informed by using letters, our website, our twitter feed and announcements in the press and local radio.

Attendance and absence It is the responsibility of parents of a child of school age to make sure that their child is educated. Absence from school is recorded as authorised, that is approved by the Children and Families department, or as unauthorised, that is unexplained by the parent (truancy).Please let the school know by letter or phone if your child is likely to be absent for some time, and give your child a note on his or her return to school, confirming the reason for absence. If there is no explanation from a child’s parents, the absence will be regarded as unauthorised.

Please make every effort to avoid family holidays during term time as this will disrupt your child’s education and reduces learning time.



Any requests for extended absence over two weeks will be referred to the Senior Education Manager: Inclusion who will decide if it will be recorded as authorised or unauthorised leave.Parents from minority ethnic religious communities may request that their children be permitted to be absent from school to celebrate recognised religious events. Absence approved on this basis is regarded as authorised absence. Extended leave can also be granted on request for families returning to their country of origin for cultural or care reasons.

A supportive approach is taken to unexplained absence. However the children and families department has legal powers to write to, interview or prosecute parents, or refer pupils to the Reporter to the Children’s Panel, if necessary.

School Uniform Parents are asked to co-operate with the school in encouraging the wearing of the school uniform.It incorporates a range of popular items of dress, e.g. sweatshirts, T-shirts. Wearing school uniform contributes to a positive school ethos and helps avoid discrimination and reduces peer pressure to wear expensive designer clothing.A school’s reputation can also be enhanced in the local community by the wearing of school uniform and school security will be improved as it will be easier to identify intruders. The appropriate clothing and footwear for PE is a T-shirt, shorts and gym shoes with non-marking soles. These are necessary for health and safety reasons and your co-operation is requested to ensure that pupils are equipped to participate in PE lessons.Please ensure that all items of clothing are clearly labelled, particularly ties, sweat shirts and PE equipment which are often lost.Please help us by ensuring that pupils do not bring valuable or expensive items of clothing to school.If you have any queries regarding the school’s dress code, please contact the school office.

Footwear and Clothing Grants Grants for footwear and clothing for children are available to parents receiving:



Child Tax Credit, but not working tax credit, with an annual income of less than £ 15,860income supportjobseekers allowance[income-based]support under Par V1of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999Income related element of Employment and Support AllowanceInformation on free school meals and clothing grants is available on the www.edinburgh.gov.uk website. Applications for free school meals and clothing grants can be made by contacting Grants, Awards and Placements, Business Centre 1:1 Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG

School Meals Menus offer healthy and tasty meal options while reflecting the Scottish Government food and drink legal requirements for school lunches. Special diets and allergies are usually accommodated subject to consultation with parent/guardian and catering services.Meal prices are reviewed annually. Please contact the School to be advised of the current price.

Free School Meals Free School Meals are provided by the Scottish Government for all pupils P1-3. Some families may be eligible for free school meals. Application forms are available from the school office. The forms have to be completed by the parent along with supporting documentation as detailed on the application form. An application is required for every school session.

Travel to and from schoolWe are a Healthy School and we like to see our pupils walking, scooting or cycling to school wherever possible. Parents are requested, when dropping off or collecting children from school, that they do not park near the pedestrian exit. Or in any location which causes an obstruction and they take special care not to restrict the view of the school crossing guide.

General SupervisionBefore school starts in the morning, supervision is very limited. Therefore pupils should not arrive at school until as near the school start time as possible. During intervals support staff supervise the children. Pupils always have access to the building and are made aware of this.


http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/


School Staff

Senior Management Team Head Teacher: Mrs A Brown Depute Head Ms L Brand Business Manager: Mrs D Raychoudhury

Teaching Staff Primary 1: Ms Brand Primary 1/2: Mrs Dripps Primary 2: Ms McAlister Primary 3: Mrs McLaren Primary 4a: Mrs Gillespie Primary 4b: Ms McGhee Primary 5: Ms Callaghan Primary 6: Ms Chadwick Primary 7: Ms Anderson English as an Additional Language Teacher: PE Specialist: Mr S Devine Music Specialist: Mrs D Ewen Brass: Mrs MacLean Support for Learning Teacher: Ms Ross

Support Staff School Administrator: Mrs M Gilmour Facilities Assistant: Mr D Hood) Pupil Support Assistant: Mrs B Frew Pupil Support Assistant: Mrs K Gibbons Pupil Support Assistant: Mrs S Robertson Pupil Support Assistant: Mrs Stevens Pupil Support Assistant: Miss Smith Pupil Support Assistant: Ms Turner Pupil Support Assistant: Ms Reynolds

Partnership Agencies Active Schools Co-ordinator: Tom Scott Educational Psychologist: Ms O’Sullivan Education Welfare Officer School Nurse

Please note that information about staffing may be subject to change.



Senior Management Team Remits

Head Teacher To ensure the safety, health and well being of children and staff To liaise with partner agencies in the duty of child protection To monitor the attainment and achievement of every child in the school To address additional support needs legislation procedures for all children To manage the curriculum by developing an annual school improvement plan

Depute and Principal Teachers To assume whole school responsibility in the absence of the Head Teacher To contribute to maintaining an ethos of care in the school To provide pastoral support to children and staff To manage the curriculum and resources To support the Probationer Teacher To assist the Head Teacher in the implementation of the monitoring and

evaluation calendar To administer whole school standardised testing To cover absence, when necessary, in accordance with the school’s absence

cover agreement To assume other such duties/responsibilities as may be delegated by the Head

Teacher

Business Manager To Manage the Devolved School Budget To Manage Non Teaching Staff To Manage Human Resources To Manage the Care and Maintenance of the School Building To assume other such duties/responsibilities as may be delegated by the Head

Teacher



The Curriculum for Excellence – Bringing learning to life and life to learning

The Curriculum for Excellence is now being introduced across Scotland for all 3 – 18 year olds. It aims to raise standards, prepare our children for a future they do not yet know and equip them for jobs of tomorrow in a fast changing world.

The experiences and outcomes of this curriculum framework are written at five levels. Some children and young people will start learning at these levels earlier and others later, depending upon individual needs and aptitudes.

Early The pre-school years and P1. or later for some.First To the end of P4, 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. The fourth level broadly equates to Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 4. The experiences and outcomes of the fourth level are intended to provide possibilities for choice and young people’s programmes will not include all of the fourth level outcomes.

Senior S4 to S6, and college or other means of study.

The curriculum includes all of the experiences which are planned for children and young people through their education, wherever they are being educated. Teachers will share information to plan a child’s ‘learning journey’, helping their progression from nursery to primary, across primary stages, primary to secondary and beyond, ensuring children continue to work at a pace they can cope with and with challenge they can thrive on.

Curriculum for Excellence balances the importance of Knowledge and Skills across the eight curricular areas of Literacy & English, Numeracy & Mathematics, Health & Wellbeing, Social Studies, Sciences, Technologies, Expressive Arts and Religious Education (Religious & Moral Education in Non-Denominational Schools)

Each teacher, including specialists will be responsible for literacy and numeracy, the language and number skills that unlock other subjects and are vital to everyday life.



The way in which these areas are taught strives to bring real life into the classroom, making learning relevant and helps children apply lessons to their life beyond the classroom. Learning and Teaching methodologies develop skills so that children can think for themselves, make sound judgements, challenge, enquire and find solutions. Interdisciplinary Learning links knowledge in one subject area to another, helping children to understand the world and make connections.

Ultimately, Curriculum for Excellence aims to improve our children’s life chances, to nurture successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens, building on Scotland’s reputation for great education.

Curricular Areas

Literacy and EnglishWe aim to develop all aspects of Language, providing the skills which will allow our children to be fluent and confident in reading, writing and talking & listening. The core language schemes used are Jolly Phonics, Oxford Reading Tree, and Spelling Made Easy. Within the City of Edinburgh Council we have specific literacy programmes for



supporting phonic development. Parents/carers are invited to attend a Meet the Teacher Evening at the beginning of the new school year to observe how these programmes are implemented.

Modern LanguagesPupils will have an experience of another language at every stage in Tollcross. Children begin a Modern Language programme in Primary 6 and depending on the year will begin French or Spanish. They will continue to learn this language into secondary education. In session 2013/14 Primary 6 will learn Spanish and P7 will continue with French. Pupils also have a Gaelic Learners’ Experience in P5 each year.

Numeracy and MathematicsChildren are being taught skills in Problem Solving and Enquiry, Information Handling, Number, Money and Measurement, Shape, Position and Movement through real life contexts and active learning approaches. The core Numeracy and Mathematics scheme is Heinemann Active Maths.

Health & WellbeingWe are a Health Promoting School where mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing are all encouraged through a variety of programmes. We are committed to providing 2 hours of PE each week where pupils cover skills in gymnastics, games, ball skills and athletics. We also provide swimming teaching at P5 and P6 stages. Additional opportunities in Physical activity arise through our Active Schools Co-ordinator. Children in the upper school (P5-7) participate in local competitions and an annual sports day takes place in our school grounds. Primary 7 participate in a residential visit to Benmore Outdoor Centre in Dunoon and excursions are designed and planned in accordance with The City of Edinburgh Council Procedures & Guidelines.

Social StudiesWe believe that children need to know who they are and where they have come from therefore studying Scotland and its place in the world is a significant part of learning in this area. Interdisciplinary learning is currently being developed to extend pupils knowledge and understanding and children may refer to it as their topic. Educational Outings related to topics may take place throughout the school year.



SciencesChildren are given opportunities in this area to explore the world around them through a practical approach. Collaborative tasks are set up to develop our children’s skills in creativity, innovation and enterprise.

Technologies and ICTChildren use technologies on a daily basis in school and it is important that learning and teaching focus on safe and responsible use of the devices as well as a tool to enhance learning and teaching. A class set of I-Pads are also being used this year to support learning and teaching across the curriculum.

Expressive ArtsWe have an Expressive Art Programme across the stages ensuring progression in the four curricular areas of Art & Design, Dance, Drama, and Music. Specialist teachers work along side class teachers to bring learning to life and provide children with the opportunity to develop self-expression.

Religious Education Religious Education is a core subject in all schools. At Tollcross we study a wide variety of world religions and are very proud of our Multicultural Ethos and celebrate this throughout school.

Assessment Your child’s work is continually assessed throughout the term both summatively and formatively. Pupils set personal targets in consultation with their teacher and these are shared with parents termly.

Parent ConsultationsParent Consultations are arranged twice yearly for parents/carers to discuss progress with their child’s teacher and an end of session report is issued in June. At the beginning of the new session all Parents/carers are invited into school to meet the teacher. Class teachers will be pleased to meet with Parents/carers at other times during the session to discuss progress of children but we ask that an appointment time



is agreed. It is not appropriate to speak to a teacher at the beginning of the day as learning and teaching needs to begin promptly.

Positive Relationships and Behaviour PolicyAt Tollcross Primary School we are committed to providing a happy and safe learning environment for children, staff and parents where we treat one another with kindness and respect. Our Positive Relationships and Behaviour Policy encourages a sense of belonging to our school and a responsibility for all to follow our School Rules and demonstrate our School Values.

The class teacher has responsibility for managing relationships and behaviour within the classroom and when a child takes away another person’s rights; sanctions will be put in place, for example loss of golden time. However should a child persistently be involved in disruptive behaviour or in one significant incident the Head Teacher will become involved and Parent/Carers informed.



StrategiesAt Tollcross: We take great care to promote good behaviour in class, as children move around our

school, in the playground and at whole school together time such as assemblies. We work hard to provide pastoral care of a high standard and set high expectations

of our children’s behaviour and attitude to learning Each class agrees Class Rules at the beginning of the session to identify the Rights &

Responsibilities of everyone working within the classroom environment. We recognised children’s achievement through weekly awards at Assembly We share best work through school and class displays We give positive feedback (written and verbal) on Children’s work

Health Care and Administration of MedicinesIt is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that all relevant information regarding their child’s health is given to the Head Teacher or School Office at the earliest opportunity. Parents/ Carers of children who require long term prescribed medication should supply the school with medicines and replenish as required, collecting out of date or surplus medicines at the end of the academic year. Medication will be stored and administered following the procedures stipulated by the City of Edinburgh Council. Please note Medication can only be administered if the necessary paperwork is completed (These forms are available on the school website).

Health and Safety"Within the general policy laid down by The City of Edinburgh Council, the Children & Families Department has prepared and has continuing development of, safety policy statements for all areas of its responsibility in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. School staff are fully instructed in their responsibilities in this respect, and safety regulations apply to all aspects of school life, both on and off the premises. It is expected that pupils will behave responsibly and comply with all safety requirements. The support of parents/carers in promoting good practice in health and safety matters is of great importance to the school".

School Health Service


http://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.pdf



A team of specialist Health Service and Children and Families Department staff work together to provide a service throughout your child’s years at primary and secondary school. A planned programme is put into place to make sure that they benefit as much as possible from all that school has to offer, and to help prepare for life after leaving school. The School Health Service is part of the Community Child Health Service and has direct links with those who carry out health checks on children before they start school. Many different services are provided. The staff involved make every effort to work closely with parents/carers and with others who are caring for your child, both at school and in other branches of the Health Service. Some of the services, e.g. testing for vision, hearing or speech, are provided to all children on a routine basis to discover which children may need further tests or Parents/carers are not necessarily notified at the time of these screening tests and any parent who does not want a child to be included should notify the school at the beginning of the session. Naturally, if treatment is thought to be required the child’s parents/carers will be informed and consent requested. The issue of maintaining confidentiality is taken seriously by the School Health Team at all times.Some of the staff concerned and the parts they play are as follows:-School Nurses are involved with health promotion and education, prevention of ill health, immunisation, health surveillance and screening.The School Doctor is made aware of any possible problems and parents/carers and the family doctor are informed if any further action is considered necessary.The School Nurse may be helped by a Health Assistant. The School Nurse acts as an important link between home and school. She visits the school and liaises with the teachers to find out whether any pupil has a health need that requires to be addressed. The School Nurse can link with other members of the health team, in the community or in hospital, concerned with a child’s health. The School Nurse reviews the notes of all children in Primary 1, 4, 7 and Senior 3 as well as those of all new entrants.An information booklet about the School Health Service is issued to all Primary 1 pupils and any new pupils coming from outwith the Edinburgh area.Parents/carers are also asked to complete a health questionnaire about their child at Primary 1, 7 and Senior 3 and asked if they would like their child to have a medical consultation with the School Doctor.The School Doctor may ask for your consent to examine your child if his/her medical records are incomplete or if the doctor particularly wishes to check on his/her progress. You will be invited to be present at any medical examination and kept informed if the School Doctor wishes to see your child again, or thinks that he/she should be seen by the family doctor or a specialist in paediatrics. You can, if you wish, arrange for your family doctor to undertake the examinations instead of the School Doctor, but you may be charged a fee for this. In secondary schools the School Doctor may consider whether any special information should be provided for the Careers Service.



The School Doctor or Nurse will be pleased to see you and your child at a mutually convenient time if you are concerned about his/her health or general progress at school.With your consent, the School Health Service Staff also carry out immunisations to protect against various diseases.The Audiometric Team normally checks children’s hearing on a number of occasions before the age of 13/14 years. The School Health Team will be told if your child seems to have a hearing problem and they will inform parents/carers and GPs as necessary. The Speech and Language Therapist can provide assessment and, if necessary, treatment if you, a teacher or the School Doctor feels that your child may have a speech or language problem.Any enquiries concerning the provision of dental services should be made to: The Director of the Community Dental Service, 16 Duncan Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SR (Tel. 0131 667-7114).We hope that the School Health Service can, together with yourselves, contribute to your child’s overall well-being and development. Please do not hesitate to arrange through the Head Teacher to see the School Doctor or School Nurse should you require any further information.

EqualityThe City of Edinburgh Council has published an Equality Scheme, which can be viewed on the council’s website. This outlines the duties which the Council is required to undertake to tackle discrimination, prevent harassment and ensure our work promotes equality. The Council is committed to eliminating discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, marriage or civil partnership, transgender status or pregnancy/maternity.

English as an Additional LanguageThe Children & Families Department provides a support service of teachers of English as an additional language. The teachers visit schools to work with those bilingual pupils who require assistance in developing English language skills.



School UniformThe wearing of school uniform is part of our Positive Relationships and Behaviour Programme as it helps the children to identify themselves with the school and be proud of belonging to it.

We ask that parents do not send children to school in football colours.

The school uniform is as follows:Red or white Polo Shirt with or without school badgeNavy Sweatshirt with school badge for P1 - 6Red Sweatshirt with school badge for P7Navy, grey or Black trousers or skirtShorts for PEChange of shoes for PEChange of t-shirt for PEGym bag for PESchool ties

Uniform Order forms can be downloaded from the school website or collected from the school office. Please return all order forms with the correct payment.



Please label all items of clothing. A lost property cupboard is located in the ground floor area of the school. It is the child, Parent/Carer’s responsibility to retrieve lost property. At the end of each term unclaimed clothing will be taken to a charity shop.

Meals, Clothing and Milk PaymentsThe Council can provide children from low income families with free school meals and assistance towards the purchase of school clothing subject to certain criteria, usually those whose parent/carer is in receipt of certain benefits/tax credits. Young people over the age of 16 and living independently may also apply.Parents must ensure that the appropriate forms have been completed and sent to the Local Authority; otherwise your child will not receive a meal or milk. These forms must be filled in on a yearly basis.

School meals are available at a cost of £1.95 (subject to change by the council) per child and are ordered on a weekly basis in advance. Milk can be purchased on a termly basis (approx £9).

Milk and Meals must be paid to either the school administrator or class teacher in advance.

For children who wish to bring their own packed lunches, tables are set up in the dining hall and they can eat their lunch under the same supervision as the other children. No child is allowed out of school at lunch time to buy food. However if you wish your child to go home for lunch written confirmation must be provided and younger children must be collected.

SecurityParents/Carers are asked to support our efforts to make our school a safe and secure environment. The Building should not be accessed by parents unless they have an appointment with a member of staff. Parents should drop their child off in the playground and class teachers will collect lines at the beginning of the school day. Whilst in the playground parents are expected to refrain from smoking or using inapproriate Language. Under no circumstance should any dogs be brought into the playground. Parents should not approach other children about school related issues. Any concerns should be raised with the class teacher in the first instance.



Visitors are asked to report to the school office where they should sign in and collect a visitor’s badge, please ensure the badge is visible at all times.Travel to and from SchoolParents are requested, when dropping off or collecting children from school that they do not park near the pedestrian exit or in any location which causes an obstruction and they take care not to restrict the view of the school crossing patrol.



Bullying Bullying can be broadly defined by any behaviour in which an individual or group exerts power in an abusive or negative way which results in the harming or demeaning of another individual or group. It is normally, but not necessarily, a process that is repeated over a period of time and people can feel bullied even when those displaying bullying behaviour are not conscious of the harm they are causing or a wilfully seeking to hurt or demean.

It is important to remember that children will tease, fall-in and out with each other, have arguments and stop talking to each other. This is a normal part of growing up and should be distinguished from bullying.

Expectation Roles and ResponsibilitiesChildren: Follow school rules and school values Ask your friends to support you in a positive way Be fair to others and expect to be treated fairly Walk away from situations and report incidents of bullying behaviour Don’t stand by and watch, tell an adult straight away.

Parents/Carers Model anti-bullying behaviour in how you act and speak to others Listen to your child Try not to overact and remain calm Assess all the facts and speak to the class teacher about it Reinforce positive strategies for your child to use Always encourage your child to tell a teacher

Staff Take bullying behaviour seriously and investigate any incident (as outlined in school

policy) Support children who are experiencing bullying behaviour Encourage children to talk Encourage co-operative working / play Encourage children who are displaying bullying behaviour to change through a

restorative justice programme.



Home school partnershipIt is our aim at Tollcross Primary School to foster and maintain close links between home and school. Class news letters are sent to parents/carers at the beginning of each year and allow parents to see the programmes of study being undertaken by their child in all curricular areas that term. There will be occasions throughout the school year where parents are invited into school to discuss their child’s progress, attend show cases of learning and participate in curriculum workshops. These are detailed in our parent’s calendar at the beginning of each session. In addition the school publishes an annual school planning report each September and this is distributed to each family.

Parents /carers are encouraged to support the school in a variety of ways such as participating in parent council meetings, escorting children on outings, becoming a classroom volunteer, sharing their experience or knowledge in a particular area to enhance learning and teaching. Volunteers are required to obtain a PVG certificate and the School Business Manager will support this process.

Health and SafetyWithin the general policy laid down by The City of Edinburgh Council, the Children & Families Department has prepared and has continuing development of, safety policy statements for all areas of its responsibility in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. School staff are fully instructed in their responsibilities in this respect, and safety regulations apply to all aspects of school life, both on and off the premises. It is expected that pupils will behave responsibly and comply with all safety requirements. The support of parents/carers in promoting good practice in health and safety matters is of great importance to the school".School Health ServiceA team of specialist Health Service and Children and Families Department staff work together to provide a service throughout your child’s years at primary and secondary school. A planned programme is put into place to make sure that they benefit as much as possible from all that school has to offer, and to help prepare for life after leaving school. The School Health Service is part of the Community Child Health Service and has direct links with those who carry out health checks on children before they start school. Many different services are provided. The staff involved make every effort to work closely with parents/carers and with others who are caring for your child, both at school and in other branches of the Health Service. Some of the services, e.g. testing for vision, hearing or speech, are provided to all children on a routine basis to discover which children may need further tests or Parents/carers are not necessarily notified at the time of these screening tests and any parent who does not want a child to be included should notify the school




at the beginning of the session. Naturally, if treatment is thought to be required the child’s parents/carers will be informed and consent requested. The issue of maintaining confidentiality is taken seriously by the School Health Team at all times.

Some of the staff concerned and the parts they play are as follows:-

School Nurses are involved with health promotion and education, prevention of ill health, immunisation, health surveillance and screening.

The School Doctor is made aware of any possible problems and parents/carers and the family doctor are informed if any further action is considered necessary.

The School Nurse may be helped by a Health Assistant. The School Nurse acts as an important link between home and school. She visits the school and liaises with the teachers to find out whether any pupil has a health need that requires to be addressed. The School Nurse can link with other members of the health team, in the community or in hospital, concerned with a child’s health.

The School Nurse reviews the notes of all children in Primary 1, 4, 7 and Senior 3 as well as those of all new entrants.

An information booklet about the School Health Service is issued to all Primary 1 pupils and any new pupils coming from outwith the Edinburgh area.Parents/carers are also asked to complete a health questionnaire about their child at Primary 1, 7 and Senior 3 and asked if they would like their child to have a medical consultation with the School Doctor.The School Doctor may ask for your consent to examine your child if his/her medical records are incomplete or if the doctor particularly wishes to check on his/her progress. You will be invited to be present at any medical examination and kept informed if the School Doctor wishes to see your child again, or thinks that he/she should be seen by the family doctor or a specialist in paediatrics. You can, if you wish, arrange for your family doctor to undertake the examinations instead of the School Doctor, but you may be charged a fee for this. In secondary schools the School Doctor may consider whether any special information should be provided for the Careers Service.The School Doctor or Nurse will be pleased to see you and your child at a mutually convenient time if you are concerned about his/her health or general progress at school.

With your consent, the School Health Service Staff also carry out immunisations to protect against various diseases.

The Audiometric Team normally checks children’s hearing on a number of occasions before the age of 13/14 years. The School Health Team will be told if your child seems to have a hearing problem and they will inform parents/carers and GPs as necessary.



The Speech and Language Therapist can provide assessment and, if necessary, treatment if you, a teacher or the School Doctor feels that your child may have a speech or language problem.

Any enquiries concerning the provision of dental services should be made to:

The Director of the Community Dental Service, 16 Duncan Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SR (Tel. 0131 667-7114).We hope that the School Health Service can, together with yourselves, contribute to your child’s overall well-being and development. Please do not hesitate to arrange through the Head Teacher to see the School Doctor or School Nurse should you require any further information".

Parent CouncilsThe Scottish Parliament passed a law called the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 to encourage and support more parents to become involved in their children’s education.The main aims of the act are to:

Help parents become more involved with their child’s education and learning Welcome parents as active participants in the life of the school Provide easier ways for parents to express their views and wishes

To help achieve these aims, all parents/carers will automatically be members of the parent forum at their child’s school and will be entitled to have their views represented to the school education authority and others, through a representative Parent Council for the school. As a member of the Parent Forum, parents/carers will have a say in selecting their Parent Council (the representative body) to work on behalf of all parents/ carers at the school.Parent Council meets once per term. The Head Teacher and a staff representative attend all meetings. Minutes of meetings are displayed on the parent notice board.

The role of the Parent Council is to:



Support the school in its work with children Represent the views of all parents Encourage links between the school, parents, pupils and the wider community Report back to the parent forum

The parent council arrangements came into effect in August 2007. For more information on the Parental Involvement Act or to find out more about Parents as Partners in their children’s learning please contact the school.

The new issue of FACE, the e-newsletter for Edinburgh's parents and carers has now been published at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/face

Transfer From Primary School to Secondary SchoolThe normal transfer to Secondary School from Tollcross, for Catchment Pupils, will be to James Gillespies’ High School. For any other high school in Edinburgh you must fill in a non district catchment form.

Parents will be informed of transfer arrangements by December of the pupils last year at Primary School.

Making a complaint:We hope that you never have to make a complaint about Tollcross but we understand that we don’t always get things right. If you do need to make a complaint please contact Alice Brown, Head Teacher in the first instance.


http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/face


If the Head Teacher has had an opportunity to address your concerns and you remain dissatisfied, then you can contact the Children’s and Families Department’s Advice and Conciliation Service. This service provides a helpline during office hours and can advise you on how to take further action. Alternatively, you can put your complaint in writing to the Advice and Conciliation Service Manger, The City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court, Business Centre 1.2, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG.

The Advice and Conciliation Service will investigate your complaint and try to help resolve it as quickly as possible. If you still feel that your complaint has not been properly dealt with, you can contact the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, 4 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7NS or call 0800 377 7330.

Sharing InformationEducation authorities and the Scottish Government Education department (SGED) work together with schools to transfer data electronically through the ScotXed programme. The data collected and transferred covers areas such as date of birth, postcode, and registration for free school meals, whether a pupils needs support, including disability and English as an additional language EAL), attendance, absence and exclusions from schools. Pupil’s names and address are collected by their school and education authority but they are not passed to SGED. Your postcode is the only part of your address that is transferred. Data is held securely and no information on individual pupils can be published by SGED,Providing national identity, ethnic background data and information about disability is very important. This helps us to analyse trends in education across the city, in individual schools and to help target resources where they are most needed. The resulting data is never linked to individual students or their families, nor is any personal information shared with any other organisations.

Your data protections rightsThe 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 section only gives you a brief description of how we use data. Fuller details of the uses of pupil data can be found on the ScotXed website at wwwscotxed.net SGED



Accuracy of InformationWhile we have made every effort to ensure all information included in this handbook is accurate at the time of compilation, changes in roll, staffing and resources are updated as often as is practicable. Changes in Education Department Personnel and phone contact numbers are changed as soon as the school is made aware of these. We apologise in advance if you have found this to be the case.

If you have any comments about the helpfulness, or otherwise of this booklet, please contact the school. We are always happy to take on board and act upon suggestions we are given. If you are still not clear on any matters mentioned or wish to speak to someone, please contact our school administrator on 0131-229 7828, who will be happy to assist you.

For a copy of City of Edinburgh school hand book please log on to the following link:

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Learning/Schools/CEC_school_handbook

This edition was updated June 2017.


http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Learning/Schools/CEC_school_handbook

Documents

ST€¦ · Web viewPage 31 Transfer from Primary to Secondary. Page 31-32 Making a Complaint. Sharing Information. Your data protection rights. Accuracy of Information. CEC School