Other Aspects of School Life at Woodside
Behaviour
The ethos of our school is one of mutual respect, care and consideration for others. It is important that children are made aware of the differences between right and wrong and learn to make proper amends when they transgress. They are also encouraged to respect all members of the school and the wider community.
Consequently, any inappropriate behaviour is dealt with in accordance with our Behaviour Policy (available from the school office). We are vigilant about any reports of bullying and such behaviour will not be tolerated. Bullying can seriously disrupt a child's self-esteem, sense of well-being, educational progress and achievement.
Good behaviour is encouraged, valued and rewarded. We aim, by example, to guide children into displaying self-discipline, care and respect for all others and their property.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Children are encouraged to take part in a variety of extra-curricular activities. Many of these take place at lunch time or after school, run by teachers, parents and friends of the school.
Examples of recent clubs:
| Football | Recorder | Art |
| Netball | Drama | Mathematics |
| ICT | Dance |
Chess |
In addition, children have the opportunity to learn the following instruments, though there is a charge for the cost of lessons:
Cello |
Trumpet |
Clarinet |
Keyboard |
Trombone |
Guitar |
Violin |
Flute |
|
Many of these extra-curricular activities involve the children in inter-school events and some involve tests, examinations and festivals.
Playtime
At Woodside we have a team of lunchtime supervisors. The teaching staff are also actively involved with the children at playtimes. A play-leader has been working as a volunteer at school during the lunchtime breaks. We also have a group of children trained as peer councillors. Play-time can be a difficult time for some children and organised games can encourage teamwork and social skills and ensure that children don’t feel isolated.
School Council
Children from each class are elected to form the School Council, a body designed to put forward initiatives from the children which are considered by teachers and/or Governors.
School Library
Our school library has recently been reorganised and we have joined the Library and Information Services for Schools (LISS). This entitles us to a half day consultancy session, ongoing advice and a loan of 100 books to enhance our selection. There are parent volunteers in the library every Monday afternoon to ensure that every child can visit the library and choose a book to take home.
It is hoped that our school library at Woodside will promote the development of learning skills that will be of lifelong value while fostering a love of books and reading.
Book Fairs
From time to time children are given the opportunity to buy appropriate literature during Book Fair weeks
The Woodside Association
We have a very active Parents’ Association which organises many social and fund raising events every year, including a regular Summer Fun Day, children’s discos and sausage sizzles.
The money raised last year increased our income considerably. We really do value the support given by these friends of the school.
In recent years the Woodside Association’s fund raising has provided many items of educational equipment as well as paying for entertainments for the children.
The committee welcomes all offers of help, new members and fresh ideas at any time. Do please join us.
If you would like to know more, please leave your details in the school office and a member of the committee will contact you.
Residential Visits
We believe strongly that children benefit educationally and socially from spending time together on residential visits. We give all children the opportunity to take part in several visits during their time at school.
These have to be funded from parental contributions. If this proves to be difficult, you are invited to discuss the matter with the Headteacher in complete confidence.
School Meals
common with other primary schools in Buckinghamshire, catering is not carried out on site.
Children therefore bring packed lunches from home. These may include a drink in a safe unbreakable container.
If your child is eligible for free school meals, then you should contact the office who will be able to organise the provision of a sandwich lunch which we source from a local sandwich bar. It can be put into your child’s own lunchbox before lunch-time.
Absence
Through sickness - if your child is ill and unable to come to school, please notify the school by telephone on the first day of absence, then by letter on your child’s return to school.
On holiday - if you are unable to arrange your holiday during the school holidays, you should make an appointment with the Headteacher in order to obtain an application form for leave of absence. We would discourage any absence that is not absolutely necessary. In exceptional circumstances, permission may be granted for up to 10 days’ leave per year but at least a month’s notice is required and your child’s attendance record will be taken into account.
For all other absences, please complete an absence request form.
Medical Welfare
Medicines can be administered during the school day at your written request. All medicines, apart from asthma inhalers, must be handed in at the school office for safe keeping and should be clearly labelled with your child’s name and dosage.
On admission, parents are asked to complete a form giving any medical information about their child which they think the school might need to know.
Parents are also asked to give a telephone number at which they, or a relative or friend, can be contacted in an emergency. If a child is taken ill at school or has an accident that might require more than minor treatment, we will always try to contact you immediately. If we are unable to do so, your child will be cared for at school or taken to hospital if necessary.
Houses
Children and staff are divided into three houses; Ash, Beech and Oak. House points are awarded to children who have demonstrated effort, good behaviour or excellence in their school work. Each week, the Governors’ cup is awarded to the House which has scored the most points.
Year 6 House Captains are elected by the children in each House.Child Protection
At this school, health, safety and well-being of every child are our paramount concern. We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. Our aim is that children will enjoy their time as pupils in this school.
We want to work in partnership with you to help your children to achieve their full potential and make a positive contribution.
On rare occasions our concern about a child may mean that we have to contact other agencies even before we contact you. The procedures, which we follow, have been laid down by Buckinghamshire area safeguarding children board, and the school has adopted a Child Protection Policy in line with this for the safety of all. If you want to know more about our procedures or the policy, please speak to the Headteacher or your child’s class teacher.
Links with the Community
Woodside Junior School is proud of the relationship that it has developed with the local community. We believe that children perform better if they have some knowledge and understanding of the world outside the school gates.
The school site is used by a number of local organisations during the evenings and at the weekends for their own activities. These organisations include the local Vineyard Church, Brownies and Guides and dance groups.Charities
Children are encouraged to support those who are less fortunate than themselves. Donations have recently been made to Jeans for Genes, Comic Relief, Children in Need, Workaid, Toybox and Operation Christmas Child.
Governors’ Policy Statement of Charges for Educational Activities
In accordance with the requirements of the Education Reform Act 1989 the Governors have agreed that:
With the exception of instrumental and music tuition, all activities offered wholly or mainly during normal teaching time will be available to all pupils without charge, regardless of their parents’ ability or willingness to pay.
Where the Headteacher decides to make a charge for “optional extras” which are provided outside school time, the charge will not exceed the actual cost of providing the optional extra activity, divided equally by the number of pupils who participate.
Where a third party organises school travel and educational visits, a charge can be levied even where the activity takes place during school hours. The school may collect the full charge on behalf of the third party organising the activity from those parents who wish their children to take part.
Voluntary contributions may be sought from parents for the benefit of the school, or in support of any school activity whether it is residential or non-residential and whether it takes place during or outside school hours. Parents are informed that if there are not sufficient voluntary contributions the proposed visit(s) may not take place.