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VISION, VALUES AND AIMS
We value happiness, health, justice, effort, questioning, creativity, equality and respect.
These values will be attained through our aims:
1. We aim to do the very best for our pupils and strive to understand how they learn and how we
can challenge and support their thinking and learning.
2. We aspire to help our pupils to become:-
Successful learners
Confident individuals
Responsible citizens
Effective contributors
3. We aim to improve the achievement and attainment and the health and wellbeing for all
pupils, staff and for the wider school community.
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QUICK CONTACT LIST
SCHOOL: Tel: (01856) 771234 e-mail: [email protected]
HEADTEACHER: Tel: (01856) 771234 e-mail: [email protected] SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.dounby.orkney.sch.uk
SCHOOL BLOG: http://dounbycommunityschool.blogspot.co.uk/
If your child is unwell please phone or e-mail the school and telephone your child’s conveyor.
Conveyors contact details:
CONVEYOR Home Telephone Mobile
Ronnie Ballantyne (01856) 721 386 0776 324 0948
Willie Corsie (01856) 771 324
Billy Hay (01856) 841 722
Wendy Kirkness (01856) 841 724 0795 839 9410
Kristan Petrie (01856) 771 297 0788 765 4319 (Brian Craigie)
Marion Spence (01856) 721 247 0759 285 7738 (Arthur Spence)
Stewart Spence (01856) 721 301 0751 670 1151 (Ann Spence)
Tony Taylor (01856) 721 308
PARENT GROUP (Parent Council):
Geraldine Ferguson Tel: (01856) 771 839 e-mail: [email protected] Alex Clark Tel: (01856) 771 350 e-mail: [email protected]
HEALTH VISITOR: Tel: (01856) 771 150 e-mail: [email protected]
SCHOOL NURSE: Tel: (01856) 888 262 e-mail: [email protected]
DOCTOR’S SURGERY: Tel: (01856) 771 209
STROMNESS ACADEMY: Tel: (01856) 850 660 e-mail: [email protected]
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ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
A warm welcome to Dounby Community School
This booklet is intended to help you know more about your child’s school. We hope that many of
your questions may be answered within its pages but we would encourage you to contact us by
telephone, email or in person if you need to know about something that is not included here.
Our intention is to provide high quality learning opportunities for your child in an environment
where they are safe, well cared for and happy. If you have any worries or concerns about what
is happening at school for your child please do not hesitate to contact us.
We intend to keep you well informed about what is happening in school. Each class has a termly
newsletter that is published early in each term. The class newsletter will give you information
about your child’s learning in the forthcoming term and other class news. Every month a school
newsletter is published which will include a diary of forthcoming school events and current
information about events in school. We also send letters home to you for a variety of reasons
including: class educational excursions, news of fundraising and charity events and notices of
meetings.
Contact us: Address: Dounby Community School, Tel: 01856 771 234
Dounby, Fax: 01856 771 701
Orkney, email: [email protected]
KW17 2JA Web pages: www.dounby.orkney.sch.uk
Dounby Community School
Directions:
Leave Kirkwall on the A965 and
head west; or leave Stromness on
the A965 and head east. At the
junction with the A986 turn and
head north, signposted Harray,
Dounby and Birsay. The school is on
the right as you enter Dounby
before the village centre. Please
park in the large car park beside
the school.
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Dounby Primary School and Community Centre was opened in 1976 to serve the parishes of
Harray, Sandwick and Birsay. In response to demand, in 2000, a large hall was added and the
community and school facilities were upgraded. Accommodation and amenities are provided
within the complex for community use during and outwith school hours and we are fortunate to
be able to share these facilities. The school is classed as a non-demonominational primary school
with nursery.
The school facilities include seven class teaching areas, a pre-school and nursery unit, a learning
support base, a small games hall and stage, a music room, an art room, a computer room, a
kitchen and community room. There is also an administration block comprising reception area,
headteacher’s office, janitor’s room, medical room and staff room.
Orkney Islands Council has recently added a new art room and a support for learning base to
the school in an area that was previously an open courtyard.
The community facilities include a large hall with changing rooms and showers, a fitness suite,
games room, an information technology base, multi-purpose community rooms and a cafeteria
facility in the reception area. All facilities have access for the disabled.
The shared grounds include two pitches marked out for rugby and football. There is a play
park, tennis court, tarred play areas and car parking area with bus drop off/pick up points.
A plan of the Dounby School and Community Centre is included in your folder.
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STAFFING AND TIMETABLE
HEADTEACHER: Alastair Forsyth
TEACHING STAFF:
EmmaJane Rendall (Principal Teacher) Murray Gallacher
Rachel Garson Lesley Harcus
Hazel McKinlay (Support for Learning Teacher) Nicola Moar
Eilidh Russell Eileen Sandison
Karin Flett (Probationary Teacher)
SPECIALIST TEACHERS:
Amy Smith (PE)
Jayne Hayden (Music)
Shona Firth (Art)
TEACHING SUPPORT STAFF:
Phyllis Ballantyne (Early Years Worker)
Mai Banks (Early Years Worker / Support for Learning Assistant)
Donna Wishart (Support for Learning Assistant)
Clare Flett (Support for Learning Assistant / Auxiliary)
NON-TEACHING STAFF:
Donald Foubister (Janitor) Kellie Annetts (Cleaner)
Linda Johnston (Secretary) Vanessa Kemp (Cook)
Emma Morrison (Auxiliary/Secretary) Pamela Rendall (Assistant Cook)
Clare Flett (Auxiliary) Jean Leisk (Kitchen Assistant)
Kerry Flett (Auxiliary) Marga Spence (Kitchen Assistant)
Katrina Gray (Auxiliary) Moira Garson (Kitchen Assistant)
Lorraine Campbell (Cleaner) Amanda Watt (Kitchen Assistant)
Jean Copland (Cleaner) Sarah Isbister (Tooth brushing supervisor)
Tracy Kitson (Cleaner) Indie Phankania (Tooth brushing supervisor)
INSTRUMENTAL INSTRUCTORS:
Brian Jones (Brass) Karen Griffith (Strings)
David Griffith (Woodwind) Steve Miller (Woodwind)
TRANSPORT PROVIDERS:
Ronnie Ballantyne Willie Corsie Billy Hay Wendy Kirkness
Geordie Petrie Arthur Spence Tony Taylor Stewart Spence
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School organisation
Dounby Community School is organised into Nursery, Pre-School and the Primary Years 1 to 7.
Year group Attendance and organisation Staffing Nursery / Pre-
School
(Sanday Class)
Five, two and a half hour sessions a week.
Currently Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
afternoons, and Thursday and Friday
mornings. Taught as a composite class.
One teacher and one early years
worker are the minimum staffing.
Pre-School
(North Ronaldsay
Class)
Five, two and a half hour sessions a week.
Currently Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
mornings, and Thursday and Friday
afternoons. Taught as a single year group.
One teacher and one early years
worker are the minimum staffing.
Primary 1
(Shapinsay Class)
Full-time in school apart from the first two
weeks of the new school year in August when
children attend mornings only. Taught as a
single year group.
One teacher full-time and one
full-time early years / early
intervention worker.
Primary 2
(Rousay Class)
Full-time in school. Taught as a single year
group.
One teacher full-time supported
by learning support and auxiliary
staff as required.
Primary 3
(Graemsay Class)
Full-time in school. Taught as a single year
group.
One teacher full-time supported
by learning support and auxiliary
staff as required.
Primary 4
(Hoy Class)
Full-time in school. Taught as a single year
group.
One teacher full-time supported
by learning support and auxiliary
staff as required.
Primary 5/6
(Westray Class)
Full-time in school. Taught as a composite
class across two year groups. Children are
allocated to composite classes by age except
in exceptional circumstances.
One teacher full-time supported
by learning support and auxiliary
staff as required.
Primary 6/7
(Flotta Class)
Full-time in school. Taught as a composite
class across two year groups. Children are
allocated to composite classes by age except
in exceptional circumstances.
One teacher full-time supported
by learning support and auxiliary
staff as required.
The school role is currently, at 1st December 2012 – Primary 1 to Primary 7 – 126
- Nursery and Pre-school – 44
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School Calendar: 2012/2013
Autumn Winter
In-service Monday 20 August 2012 In-service Thu 25/Fri 26 October 2012
Start Tuesday 21 August 2012 Start Monday 29 October 2012
End Friday 12 October 2012 End Friday 21 December 2012
Spring Summer
Start Monday 7 January 2013 Start Monday 15 April 2013
In-service Wed 6/Thu 7 February 2013 Mid-term break Monday 6 May 2013
Mid-term break Friday 8 February 2013 End Friday 28 June 2013
End Friday 29 March 2013
The Primary School Day
Morning Session 9.20 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.
Play Time 11.00 a.m. - 11.20 a.m.
Morning Session 11.20 a.m. - 12.45 p.m.
Lunch Time 12.45 p.m. - 1.30 p.m.
Afternoon Session 1.30 p.m. - 3.25 p.m.
The Nursery Day
Pre-school and Nursery age children are taught in groups organised by age. This school year there
will be a Pre-School class of older children, North Ronaldsay Class, and a class of younger children
who will all be a composite of Pre-School and Nursery cohorts, Sanday Class).
Morning 9.20 – 11.50 a.m. Afternoon 12.55 - 3.25 p.m.
Monday North Ronaldsay Class Sanday Class
Tuesday North Ronaldsay Class Sanday Class
Wednesday North Ronaldsay Class Sanday Class
Thursday Sanday Class North Ronaldsay Class
Friday Sanday Class North Ronaldsay Class
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DAILY CHECKLIST
Clothing
Much of the year a warm coat is an essential. Children play outside in most weather and their
coat needs to be warm, shower-proof and cosy. In winter and the colder months a hat that
covers the ears and gloves are also useful.
In summer and autumn children should wear clothing that protects them
from the sun. A cap or hat is required. Shoulders should be covered.
Almost all children wear our school uniform which is a blue sweatshirt or
hoody top with the school logo. These may be ordered from school,
please complete the order form and return to school.
Children should wear practical, warm clothing for
school. Children have an active day so footwear
should be suitable for safe play on the playground and, in summer and
autumn, on the school pitch. In winter, wellies or stout shoes for outside
and a pair of indoor shoes is recommended. We recommend combat
trousers, “trackie bottoms” or jeans or other comfortable, hard-wearing
trousers. Girls may wear skirts or dresses, tights are advised in the colder
months. For safety reasons clothing needs to be relatively plain, without
decorative buckles, zips or other “adornments”. Most importantly, for younger children, clothing
should be easy for them to take on and off themselves.
We discourage the wearing of necklaces, dangling ear-rings and large bracelets or watches as
these can be a hazard during play times. Children may be asked to remove these if staff believe
they pose a risk to children’s safety.
Children need a change of clothes in school so they may take part in Physical Education (P.E.).
Children need a pair of shorts, a T-shirt and a pair of trainers or plimsolls.
Please would parents and carers ensure that children’s clothing and shoes are labelled with their
child’s name. Finding the owner of one of twenty blue sweatshirts can be a frustrating task!
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Other equipment
Children need a bag to carry books, equipment, letters, other paperwork, packed lunch if they
have one and clothing between home and school. A small rucksack is recommended but any hard-
wearing, practical bag will do. The school will provide a book bag to children in Primary 1. We will
ask parents to replace this if it wears out or is lost.
Children may bring a pencil case with favourite pens and pencils and a toy to school. We would
prefer toys to be of a size that will fit into school bags.
Children should not bring expensive electronic equipment to school unless by prior arrangement
with their teacher. This equipment is brought at parents and carers own risk and school cannot
be held responsible for its safe-keeping.
Children should not bring mobile phones to school.
In exceptional circumstances (going away for the
weekend) please ensure class teachers are aware
that your child has brought a mobile to school.
Children may bring small sums of money to school.
During the school day children may buy a play piece
from our tuck shop. Children will also need to pay
for their school lunch, see prices below.
Children may bring a toy to play with at school.
Large and / or expensive toys are generally discouraged or may be brought only by arrangement
with class teachers.
Food and school meals
School lunches are cooked on site. A menu is sent out to parents annually. You may choose on a
daily basis if your child will have a school meal or you will provide a packed lunch. The majority
of children take school lunches. Meals can be paid for daily, weekly or termly in advance at the
kitchen. School lunches consist of a hot meal, a baked potato with a selection of fillings, a
sandwich and a choice available from the salad bar. Fresh fruit salad and yoghurt are available
as alternatives to pudding each day.
Current Prices: Child’s lunch £1.80 Milk 18p
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If you send your child to school with a packed lunch there is a website that gives advice on
healthy ideas for children’s lunches
at:http://www.netmums.com/food/Lunchbox_Ideas.101/#tips
Children may bring a play piece to eat at break time. Flotta Class pupils operate a Tuck Shop at
morning break where they sell a variety of healthy foods including cereal bars, fruit, flavoured
water, yoghurt tubes etc. Children should not bring sweets to eat at school.
Sun protection
Protecting our children from the sun is increasingly an issue we all are concerned about. We
include a section on this within our General Consent Form. Please complete this to allow us to
put sun screen lotion on your child.
Road safety and school transport
During the winter months we provide children with reflective waistcoats, please ensure they
wear their waistcoat every morning.
Most parents and carers will be given information about your child’s conveyer, the bus driver
who collects your child from an agreed point in the morning and returns them to you in the
afternoon. Please ensure that you keep this name and telephone number safely. In times of poor
weather the drivers will not always phone you about which roads they are and are not driving on,
and you will need to phone them to get this information. On the whole the drivers are good at
keeping you informed but it is parents’ and carers’ responsibility. In particular, when snow has
fallen, the roads in Quoyloo are not always accessible.
Please listen to Radio Orkney at 7.30 a.m. (93.7 F.M.) each morning during periods of inclement
weather to find out if school is open. Information will also be posted on the OIC Twitter page:
http://twitter.com/#!/OrkneyCouncil
and on the OIC Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/OIC-
Updates/155210207847669 .
Our emergency closure procedure, if snow, ice or high winds occur during the school day is that
we will phone you and must speak with you before allowing your child to board a bus to come
home. Please make sure we have up-to-date contact numbers for yourself and your emergency
contacts. Weather predictions can be found at:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_warnings.html
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If a weather warning is in force please make sure that someone will be available to receive your
child from the school bus or would be able to collect your child from school. Please keep your
mobile switched on during these times.
PLAY AND SCHOOL CLUBS
Play is an important part of every child’s school day. Children learn through play and especially
within the Early Level of Curriculum for Excellence children’s play is integral to the curriculum.
There is time for children to play when they arrive at school in the morning, at morning break
time, at lunch time and at the end of the school day. The time available for children’s play varies
depending on the time of their bus run. However, all children will have 20 minutes to play at
morning break and a period of time within the 45 minutes lunch time.
In nursery children have their own designated playground which is well equipped. Play is fully
integrated within the nursery and pre-school curriculum and is supervised by the nursery staff
throughout the day.
Play for children in Primary 1 to Primary 7, and pre-school during transition play activities, is
supervised by our auxiliary staff and the janitor. The ratio of one adult to 50 children is always
maintained. Students on placement and other school staff augment this staffing for play
regularly.
We have a variety of things for children to play with at school. We have the traditional
footballs, netballs, skipping ropes and hoops. We have recently put two small sandpits into the
main playground with sand toys. We have purchased scooters for all children to use on a
designated area of the playground. We have encouraged children to bring their own scooters to
school and for older children to bring unicycles, we have a designated area where unicycles may
be used. We have some “small world” equipment for children to play with including wooden
building bricks. We are encouraging children to bring toy vehicles and dolls. All toys brought
from home are brought at parents’ discretion as inevitably some items will be broken during
play.
The children are also able to play in the community play park during good weather, when the
ground is dry and the play park equipment is used by both nursery and school children. The
sports pitches are also used for play when they are sufficiently dry.
During wet play times the sports hall, the community foyer and community rooms are used for
play and a variety of materials and equipment are available to children for indoor play.
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The school runs a before school football club on Thursday mornings, a netball club on Thursday
afternoons after school and a badminton club after school on a Tuesday afternoon during the
winter months. There are a wide range of activities that children may attend at the community
centre at weekends, and during the evening, including a wide range of sporting activities, Boys
Brigade, Brownies and Guides. Full details of all these activities are included in the community
centre leaflet which is available from the foyer and online on the school’s website.
The Parent Group has recently organised a sub-group to look into developing children’s play at
the school. The group Play Dounby will involve the wider community in its work. Its remit is to
look at play in school and to work to develop the community play park for the future.
CURRICULUM
Curriculum for Excellence is Scotland’s schools’ curriculum. Curriculum for Excellence has been
developed in consultation with schools since 2004 and was implemented in all Scottish schools in
August 2010.
Curriculum for Excellence is based around the four capacities:
Successful learners
Confident individuals
Effective contributors
Responsible citizens
Further information about Curriculum for Excellence is available for parents and carers
at: http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/cfe/index.asp
Videos are available here:
Nursery and Pre-School - http://vimeo.com/37305197
Primary 1 to Primary 7 - http://vimeo.com/37305253
General - http://vimeo.com/36972450
Curriculum for Excellence encompasses eight curriculum areas:
Expressive arts
Health and well-being
Languages
Mathematics
Religious and moral education
Sciences
Social studies
Technologies
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Within these areas we provide a wide range of experiences which give the children knowledge
and understanding of the individual subjects. The personal and social development of our pupils
is of equal importance and at all stages, we encourage children to become independent thinkers
and learners who respect the needs and views of others.
Learning is structured across four levels in the primary years. The levels are a continuum and
children move from level to level as their learning needs are met. Thus, there are no specific
beginning years for the levels beyond Early. However, as a guide, the levels correspond
approximately to the years below:
Early - for children in Nursery and Pre-School and into P1.
First - usually beginning for children in P1, most will have moved to the next level by the
end of P4.
Second - usually beginning for children in P5, most will
have moved to the next level by the end of P7.
Third - beginning for some children in P6 or P7 but
the majority of children engage with this level
at S1.
Curriculum for Excellence is a thematic approach to
learning. That is not say that the skills and knowledge
required for the learning of mathematics, language or
science, for example, will not be taught clearly and
directly. However, learning will most often be
addressed within themes. For example, a theme of
“Ourselves” in the Primary 1 year would include aspects
of biology, history, geography as well as language and
mathematics.
Teachers will keep you informed about what your
child is learning via a termly newsletter. The
newsletter will be posted on our website so it is
available for reference.
The school assesses children against a range of
criteria using a number of tools. Teachers will be
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able to report to you which level your child is learning within during the school year.
Within Curriculum for Excellence children have an entitlement to be involved in planning their
own learning. At Dounby Community School we take this entitlement seriously from nursery
through the school. Teachers discuss themes and topics with their class and children’s ideas are
incorporated within the learning framework. One of the most important aspects of learning is
receiving and discussing feedback from teachers about learning. These discussions between
children and their teachers lead to agreement about children’s next steps for learning and
learning targets. Children’s targets and next steps are often recorded in their learning logs, or
they may be recorded in Individualised Educational Plans (IEPs) for some children or on target
or next step certificates. The learning logs, certificates and IEPs will be sent home for parents
to view and discuss with their child.
Parents may always enquire of the school about any aspect of their child’s learning. Please
contact the class teacher, the headteacher or principal teacher.
When children are learning about sensitive issues, usually this may occur through the health and
well-being curriculum, we will inform parents about this either in the class teacher’s termly
letter or by a letter relating specifically to that learning. Parents will be given opportunities to
discuss this learning with school staff if they so wish.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE AND LEARNING
Dounby Community School is a non-denominational school. The school works with the local
Church of Scotland minister who leads an assembly once a fortnight. Parents may request that
their child does not attend religious assemblies, please contact the headteacher to make this
request. Arrangements will then be made for your child to be supervised and involved in other
activities during this assembly time.
Parents may also choose for their child not to attend Religious and Moral Education (RME)
lessons. Again the headteacher should be contacted if parents would like to arrange this
provision for their child.
Religious and moral education enables children and young people to explore the world’s major
religions, and views which are independent of religious belief and to consider the challenges
posed by these beliefs and values. It supports them in developing and reflecting upon their
values and their capacity for moral judgement. Through developing awareness and appreciation
of the value of each individual in a diverse society, religious and moral education engenders
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responsible attitudes to other people. This awareness and appreciation will assist in
counteracting prejudice and intolerance as children and young people consider issues such as
sectarianism and discrimination more broadly.
WORKING WITH PARENTS AND CARERS
Parents are children’s first educators. Successful education comes about from a partnership
between the pupil, their parents or carers, and school.
When children are enrolled into our Nursery our early years staff will make an appointment to
visit you at home to talk about your child joining school and extending their learning journey.
During the time your child is in Nursery you, or a member of your family, are likely to be the
people bringing your child into school and there will be daily opportunities to talk with our early
years staff.
Before children begin the Primary 1 year we meet with you so that you know what to expect
during your child’s first year in the next phase of their school based learning.
Class teachers and the headteacher are always happy to discuss your child’s progress or any
concerns you may have and an appointment can easily be made by phoning the school office or
via email. We will always meet you a soon as we are able to. If you have an immediate concern it
will usually be possible to meet the headteacher or class teacher the same day.
Please do feel free to contact the school about anything to do with your child’s education or
their care that we could help you with. Sharing a concern is usually the first step to resolving a
concern.
Homework
The school has a new policy for homework. As well as the more traditional approaches to
homework the school uses the internet to provide learning opportunities at home for all our
children. Children are currently able to use Study Ladder and other internet resources, class
teachers will guide the children and parents in the use of the internet for learning at home.
All the children have learning logs which provide a means of communication between school and
home. Please write in the learning log to let us know how your child is managing with homework
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tasks. Children will bring books for reading with you and other items of homework back and
forth between school and home. We provide bags for these for your child to carry between
home and school each day (see above). Please try to ensure that any homework does come back
to school on the appropriate day. If your child is having difficulty with homework or it does not
fit well with your daily schedule at home please let us know.
Reading with you at home is an important part of homework, and research shows that children
who read with their families at home make better progress with this skill. The school will give
you guidance in supporting your child with reading at home. All children have a home – school
reading diary, please use this book to liaise with your child’s teacher about your child’s reading
at home. Your child’s class teacher will give you guidance about the best way of doing this.
Parent Group (leaflet enclosed in pack)
Because parents have such a vital role to play in their children’s education, the Scottish
Parliament passed a law called the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 - to
encourage and support more parents becoming involved. The main aims of this 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.
All parents are welcome at the meetings of Parent Group, the quorum is one representative
from each year group attending the meeting. Parents can volunteer or be nominated as year
group representatives. In the event of more than one person standing for any year group then
an election will take place by the parents of that year group. Year groups are: Nursery, Pre-
school, Primary 1, Primary 2, Primary 3, Primary 4, Primary 5, Primary 6 and Primary 7.
Friends Of Dounby School (F.O.D.S)
This organisation was created as an informal way in which parents could become involved in the
school. Over the years its help has been invaluable in fund raising activities, sports days,
organising transport and supervision on school and class outings and in many other ways. F.O.D.S.
is officially a part of Parent Group.
F.O.D.S. consists of a volunteer parent representative from every class with new members
appointed at the start of each school year.
We are very lucky to have supportive parents who as well as their involvement with their own
children, are prepared to share their time and skills for the benefit of other children in the
school. We are always grateful for help with projects, concerts and extra curricular activities.
If you would like to help in any way please get in touch!
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In general
In school we are always happy to see parents or carers and work with you. One way you can help
in school is by sharing your knowledge and expertise. An important aspect of Curriculum for
Excellence is the sharing of knowledge and experiences with children. You may like to volunteer
to help in school on a regular basis, helping in the class room for example. Alternatively we are
always keen to have parents or carers come in and tell us about their work or an interest or
special skill that they have.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
This year the school is using Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots as a starting point for school
council’s work. Each class of children has a focus on a particular aspect of the Roots & Shoots
agenda which is to encourage children to implement practical, positive change for people,
animals and the environment. Classes are working in pairs on Fair Trade, the school grounds and
transport. Additionally there is an on-going litter management project. Primary 6, a year group
that is split between two composite classes, is acting as the coordinator group for the Roots &
Shoots project this year. Primary 6 meet with the headteacher once a week to discuss Roots &
Shoots initiatives and projects, and to carry out practical activities in support of some of the
projects.
ADDITIONAL LEARNING NEEDS
Some children have additional learning needs. These needs may be temporary, for short periods
of time, or they may be more permanent. Teaching staff at Dounby Community School work with
Orkney Islands Council staff, the Health Service and other agencies to identify and help to
meet children’s additional needs. We have some specialist Support for Learning Staff in school
and teachers and other teaching staff have
been trained to address a range of children’s
learning needs.
During the process of identifying children’s
learning needs we may need to ask specialist
staff from other agencies to help us. In this
circumstance we will always consult parents and
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carers and request your permission for these staff to work with your child.
Some children who have identified additional learning needs will have Individualised Educational
Plans (IEPs). These plans are drawn up in consultation with parents or carers and usually with
the involvement of the children as well. IEPs set out some of the methods we will use to help
individual children learn. IEPs are always shared with parents or carers.
If you think your child might have additional learning needs it is best to talk to the class
teacher about what you think these needs might be in the first instance. Talking about your
concerns at an early stage can often help us to resolve small difficulties early on.
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
Most children in our school are polite and well-behaved most of the time. Our expectation in
school is that children will be polite and well-behaved. We have a Behaviour Policy in school
which sets out our expectations clearly. This policy has been posted on our website and is
available for you to read.
Almost all children occasionally exhibit behaviour that is less than we expect of them, and our
behaviour policy sets out how we will respond to these occasional lapses.
There are a very few children in school who for a variety of reasons, some of which may be well
beyond their own personal control, find polite and good behaviour challenging to achieve
consistently. Please be assured that the school staff work actively in partnership with these
children and their families to manage
unwanted behaviours in school. We are an
inclusive school and as such we do adapt our
teaching and our routines to help every child
have access to the educational opportunities
to which they are entitled.
If you have any special concerns about your
child’s behaviour or the behaviour of other
children in school which is impacting on your
child, please contact school for a discussion.
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Bullying
We are working with the children to help them understand that bullying behaviour is unkind and
unacceptable.
Bullying usually involves repeated incidents of unkind behaviour. Children are made aware that
they need to tell someone about being bullied. If your child tells you they are being bullied
please contact school quickly and inform us. If you can give us as many details as possible it
helps us in our work to prevent further bullying. The school is currently working to develop a
new anti-bullying policy. We are likely to consult you and your children in relation to this policy
shortly.
BEING ABSENT
If your child is unwell or going to be absent from school for the day please:
o contact your child’s school transport provider if your child comes to school by minibus
o contact school before 10:00 a.m. and let us know why your child is absent.
If you want to take your child out of school for part of a day or longer during term time please
let us know in school first. Most absences other than those for medical reasons are now classed
as unauthorised absence from school. However, there are certain circumstances for which
authorised absence is granted, please come and talk to us.
Exceptional absence from school may be granted for musical, other arts and sporting events.
Please talk to us if your child’s absence may be in relation to these activities.
ENROLMENT AND TRANSITION
Enrolling Pupils
Pupils may be enrolled into the Primary 1 year for the term beginning in August preceding their
fifth birthday, if their birthday occurs before the end of the following February.
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Parents may elect to defer the entry of their child into Primary 1 from the Pre-School year of
Nursery if their child has a September to December, or January or February birth date. This
would result in the child having an additional year in Nursery and joining Primary 1 the following
year. Parents may make this decision but school will offer advice. Parents of children with
earlier birth dates may be able to request deferment of their child’s entry into Primary 1 but
these deferments are termed “out of year placements” and can only be made with the
recommendation of the Principal Educational Psychologist for OIC. Parents of children with
birthdates between September and December inclusive may defer the Primary 1 year for their
child, however, their child will not be entitled to a Pre-School place during that year. The
children may attend Pre-School but only if there are available places. These are termed
“discretionary deferrals”. Parents of children with birth dates in January and February have an
automatic right to defer their child’s Primary 1 year and if they choose to do this their child
will have entitlement to a Pre-School place from August. These deferrals are termed “automatic
deferrals”.
Parents of children who are due to begin Primary 1 the following August will be invited to a Pre-
School/Primary 1 transition meeting the preceding June. At this meeting school staff will give
information about beginning the Primary 1 year and parents and carers will have the opportunity
to have their questions answered. Parents will be given a school admission form to complete,
this form gives school details of your emergency contact telephone numbers and other
important information that school requires in order to care effectively for your child whilst
they are in our care. Information on this form is subject to the Data Protection Act and is
stored and maintained securely and confidentially in compliance with that legislation.
The catchment area of the school is the parishes of Harray, Sandwick and Birsay. Parents living
outwith this area may request a place for their child Dounby Community School but
transportation would be at their own expense.
Moving On
At the end of Primary 7
most children will transfer
to Stromness Academy.
Dounby Community School
and Stromness Academy
have close links and a
transfer procedure is in
place which involves visits of
the Primary 7 pupils to the
Academy and visits from
Academy staff to Dounby.
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If you wish to withdraw your child from the Dounby Community School for any reason, it may be
that you are to move away, for example, then please contact the headteacher directly so that
the appropriate paperwork and arrangements can be made.
TRAVEL TO SCHOOL
School transport
The school will arrange with Education and Leisure Services of Orkney Islands Council for your
child to be transported to and from school if your home lies outwith the walking limits.
Qualifying distance from school Child’s age Easter to October October to Easter
7 years and under Over 2 miles Over 1 1/2 miles
8 years and older Over 3 miles Over 1 1/2 miles
For more information about school transport please see the Education and Leisure Service
website at: http://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/School-Transport.htm
Emergency closure of school
There are occasions when school may close during the school day. This can occur for a variety of
reasons but most common is the onset of bad weather. We will only put children on school
transport in these circumstances if we have contacted yourselves, or an agreed emergency
contact.
During the winter months please check our website, listen to BBC
Orkney Radio or check the Education and Leisure Services
Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/#!/OrkneyCouncil and
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/OIC-
Updates/155210207847669 for weather and school closure
information. Please ensure you, or a named emergency contact, is
always contactable and able to make arrangements for your child’s
care if the school were to close at short notice.
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Travel safety
All buses are fitted with seatbelts and the children are told to wear the belts by school staff
and the bus drivers. If children refuse to wear seatbelts, or persistently endanger the safety
of themselves, the other children, or the bus driver, by their behaviour then school transport
may be withdrawn. The buses are met by school staff, usually the janitor and auxiliary staff.
The children are supervised on to the buses at the end of the school day by the janitor and the
auxiliary staff Parents are responsible for the safety of children who walk to school.
Parents are also fully responsible for the safety of
children who cycle to school. Children who cycle to
school should wear a helmet and high visibility clothing.
The school carries out cycle proficiency training with
children in Primary 6.
If you drive your child to school please park in the car
park in a designated parking place. Please do not park in
the bus bay. Please drive slowly in the vicinity of the school at all times. Please take special care
driving on the approach road to the car park, and in the car park itself.
Please note that supervision is only provided for the children in the playground from 8:45 a.m.
Children should not arrive at school before this time. If they do arrive at school prior to 8:45
a.m. they are present at school at parents’ own risk.
SAFETY AT SCHOOL
We aim to provide a safe and secure school for your children. The school has a health and
safety policy and complies with all relevant legislation. We comply with all directives from
Orkney Islands Council in regard to health and safety and actively keep up-to-date with the
latest health and safety advice.
All playtimes are supervised by the janitor and two auxiliary staff. They try to resolve any
problems and help the children to play happily together. Difficulties during play times are
communicated to class teachers. Any significant incidents during play times involving your child
will be reported to you at the earliest opportunity.
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Several members of our staff are trained first-aiders and deal with minor first aid incidents at
school. In the case of a more serious accident the doctor or the emergency services will be
contacted and you will be informed.
Regular fire drills are held at school to ensure that everyone is familiar with procedures.
MEDICAL MATTERS
Parents first point of contact for medical advice is the school nurse (Primary 1 – 7) or the
health visitor (Nursery and Pre-School). The school nurse can be contacted on 888262. If you
are registered with Dounby Surgery the health visitor can be contacted through the practice
which is on 771209.
We need your written permission in order to dispense medicines to your child at school. If you
need us to administer any medicine to your child during the school day please ask at the school
office for an appropriate form. We can administer mild analgesics in school with your consent.
We will ask you to sign the appropriate permission form.
If your child has any known medical condition, for example asthma or an allergy, please ensure
that information is noted on the school information form. If it is a serious allergy, or a
potentially life threatening condition, please make an appointment to discuss this with the
headteacher before your child starts school.
There is a tooth brushing scheme that takes place in school. This innovative scheme is
supported by OIC and NHS, we would encourage you to allow your child to take part. Please
ensure you sign the appropriate consent form included in this pack
Dental inspection takes place in school once a year. Parents will be informed when this is
occurring.
Vision and hearing screening and growth monitoring are carried out in Primary 1. Vision
screening and colour vision screening are carried out in Primary 7.
If your child has a medical condition which requires special consideration, for example they may
need to stay in at playtimes or being excused from P.E. please inform us by letter.
If your child is taken ill during the school day we will try to contact you in the first instance.
We will then contact your emergency contacts. One of our first aid trained staff will make the
decision whether your child needs to go home from school. If the illness is more serious, or your
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child is injured and requires professional medical treatment, we will either consult the nearby
Dounby Surgery or, in a more serious case, we will call the ambulance. Please make sure that we
can always contact either yourself or one of your emergency contacts by telephone during the
school day.
EDUCATIONAL EXCURSION POLICY
Educational excursions are an important part of Curriculum for Excellence and are opportunities
for your child to learn out of the environment of school.
All parents should complete an Excursion Consent Form
EX D1 and a Medical Information EX D2 and return these
forms to school as soon as possible. These forms will
cover your child going out of school on Level 1 and 2
educational excursions.
Level 1 - An activity occurring on a regular or routine
basis, for example, travel by minibus or coach, and visits
to places of worship, swimming pools, theatres, libraries,
sports grounds.
Level 2 - An activity occurring on a less regular but routine basis:
a) visits to ancient buildings or historic sites, natural or bird reserves
and farms;
b) travel involving air or sea passage on approved carriers within Orkney.
Parents will be required to complete an Excursion Consent Form EX D1 and a Medical
Information EX D2 each time a Level 3 excursion is to be undertaken.
Level 3 -
a) boat or aircraft journeys with carriers other than those officially
contracted by the Education Department;
b) any journey outwith Orkney;
c) visits to beaches, foreshores, or any offshore installation;
d) coastal/moorland/hill/upland walks or journeys;
e) adventurous or hazardous activity, including for example, cold or open-water
activity, cycling, horse riding, orienteering.
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Level 4 - a) any activity run or organised by an Adventure Activity Licensing
Authority (AALA) provider;
b) any excursion, activity, journey or visit outside the United Kingdom.
Prior to children going on an educational visit you will be sent details which will include the level
of the excursion that is to be undertaken.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND PLANNING
The school carries out a process of self-evaluation and self-assessment on a continuous basis.
Parents are consulted about significant documentation related to this process, we do this via a
variety of means that include focus groups, questionnaires and working with the Parent Group
(parent council). The school publishes a Standards and Quality Report annually which is the over
view of the performance and progress the school has made over the past academic year. The
school uses its self-evaluation processes to identify items for improvement. The School
Improvement Plan sets out the school’s priorities for improvement over the following one to
three years. Parents are consulted about the contents of the School Improvement Plan annually.
The Standards and Quality Report and the School Improvement Plan are available on the
school’s website. Hard copies of these documents are available to parents by request, please
ring the school office.
SCHOOL POLICY DOCUMENTS
School policy documents are available via the school’s website. Any policy is available to parents
as a hard copy by request to the school. Please telephone the school office.
A hard copy of this document is available to parents by request, again please telephone the
school office.
