Temple Mill Primary School | Prospectus

Temple Mill Primary School | Prospectus

Temple Mill Primary School Prospectus

Enjoying Together

Motivating P assionate Lively Experiences Making Independent

Lifelong Learners

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Welcome to Temple Mill Primary School

We are delighted to welcome you to Temple Mill Primary School which became part of the Howard Academy Trust in 2015.

We are a small, friendly school with our own onsite Nursery. Our most recent Ofsted report highlighted that the school has worked “diligently to provide a good standard of education” and that our “early years provision is vibrant” (Ofsted 2018). The continuing success reflects the hard work and commitment of our experienced and settled staff working in partnership with governors, pupils and parents. Pupil voice is also an important part of school improvement here. The children contribute through regular pupil conferences and through our busy School Council. The children also have the opportunity to take on roles such as Play Leaders, Sports Leaders, Head Pupils and House Captains. Our aim is to equip children with the skills, knowledge and understanding to enable them to make informed decisions about the important things in their lives. Our school will provide solid foundations that children can take forwards into their futures.

Mrs Lewis, Co-Head Teacher & Trust Primaries Executive Headteacher

Mr Bignell, Co-Head Teacher

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View our Virtual Open Event video

Our Ethos

and Values

The early years provision is vibrant. Children develop their emerging skills well, and staff are careful to consider the views of parents when planning learning. The nurturing atmosphere throughout the school is almost tangible. Leaders promote positive attitudes between pupils, who demonstrate in their actions how important it is to look after each other and be friendly. Pupils say, ‘School is like one big family, where we all get along happily together.’ The school provides a safe and secure environment in which to learn. “ ” Ofsted, 2018 At Temple Mill we aim to create a school community that works together to enjoy learning. Our curriculum will motivate and encourage a passion for knowledge through lively teaching which offers engaging experiences. This will ensure our community is successful in making independent, lifelong learners. In addition to acquiring skills and knowledge, we aim to help the children to grow in confidence and maturity so that they can enter secondary school and, later, adulthood with the ability to pursue wholeheartedly, academic, social and cultural activities.

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Our

Curriculum

At Temple Mill, we aim to provide the children with a curriculum which is broad, well balanced and above all stimulates the children to learn. To serve our pupils, our curriculum is designed to take our children from their own life experience and enable them to explore how this relates to the wider world and the possibilities that they will find there. Our curriculum is delivered using the National Curriculum requirements as a basis to ensure coverage and progression throughout the school. In addition, we seek to create chances for children to experience a range of opportunities that enhance and extend the National Curriculum. Children have opportunities both inside and outside the classroom eg residential trips, day trips, in-school visitors, a variety of sporting events, visiting theatre and art projects. Teachers use questions to engage children in learning and children are encouraged to ask their own questions inspired by their curiosity, which is used to shape learning and research. Children are challenged in their learning, whatever their starting point and are supported to become the best they can be.

The

School Day

Nursery Morning*

Nursery Afternoon*

Reception

Years 1-6

Start Time 8:45am 12:15pm 8:45am 8:45am (Gates open at 8:30am) Finish Time 11:25am 3:15pm 3:15pm 3:20pm

*It is possible for Nursery children to stay for a full day and enjoy their lunch with us for an additional charge. We have fully funded and paid places for our Nursery.

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Hear what our children have to say about the school

Outside

The Classroom It is important to be able to enhance the classroom based curriculum with enrichment opportunities such as class or whole school projects, trips and visitors. Our School Council often organises special days to raise funds or awareness for organisations like the Air Ambulance. Teachers in their subject leader roles enjoy creating focus events like Reading Challenges or Science Week. We have welcomed groups and activities like the Family Trust, Guildhall Museum and Astrodome into school to give the children a broader experience of their topics. We have also enjoyed educational trips. Some are local, for example to our local library or over the bridge to Rochester, and some are a little further afield like Horton Kirby. There is an opportunity for our older children to also take on some challenges as part of a residential journey and we all love a trip to the Panto each year, made possible thanks to the fundraising efforts and generosity of our amazing parents association, Tempo.

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Care

and Support

We aim to offer a calm and supportive environment where all children can feel safe and happy. In our school, the children benefit from a staff who are caring and nurturing and have high expectations of the children. We have a positive approach to behaviour management and encourage all members of the school community to show respect and consideration for each other. Children can earn rewards for positive contributions to their learning and also the school community. Our curriculum is fully accessible and we have a number of highly trained Learning Support Assistants who work within classrooms as well as providing specialist intervention groups for those that need them. To support all children’s well-being and emotional growth, we teach mindfulness and have introduced Philosophy 4 Children to stimulate and broaden their thinking. We have a full time Home School Support Worker who is able to support and guide families in need and can also offer some direct work with children in school. For children who may need additional emotional support, we are able to access a school counsellor and we also have visits from Rosie, our therapy dog.

Hear what our teachers have to say about Mindfulness

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Starting

School Our Early Years Provision consists of a Nursery class (Caterpillars) and Reception class (Butterflies). Each group has their own spacious classroom and share a large outdoor learning space. It is an exciting and friendly place to play and learn.

When pupils first join us, we focus primarily on the ‘prime’ areas of learning:

• • •

Communication and Language

Physical Development

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

These prime areas support pupils to become resilient and confident independent learners and lay the foundations for their success in the other specific areas of learning: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design. We believe that children learn best through well-planned, inviting and open-ended play opportunities. We base our activities on observing the children’s interests and then supporting, enhancing and extending these interests. The outdoor environment is very important to the children’s learning, as it gives children unique opportunities to learn about nature and enables children to develop their physical skills on a larger scale and to begin to learn to manage risk in a supported and supervised way. The topics taught within EYFS are based mainly on the children’s interests. This is because we know that children learn best when they are fully engaged and interested in what they are learning. The children are encouraged to be independent, critical thinkers and learners, as well as risk takers. If transitioning from our Nursery, or joining our Reception class from elsewhere, we will offer your child a well-planned and gentle settling-in programme. This usually involves a phased admission into Reception over two or three weeks.

Children’s personal development in the early years is a strength of the school. “ Ofsted, 2018

”

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School

Uniform

We believe uniform to be an important part of the ethos of the school; it supports the well-being of the children and we hope the children feel proud to wear it. We urge parents to support us in this. We usually have a good supply of clean, good quality second hand uniform which is available to purchase for £1 per item. All clothing, including footwear, should be marked clearly with the child’s name. InYears 1 to 6, children should wear black school shoes, which are safe and suitable for school wear. If your child has lace up shoes, please ensure they are able to tie their shoelaces. Your child should not wear trainers or boots to school.

Winter Uniform:

Summer Uniform:

• Purple sweatshirt/cardigan with logo • Tailored grey trousers/Grey skirt or pinafore • White polo shirt with purple stripe & logo

• Purple gingham dress • White polo shirt with purple stripe & logo • Tailored grey trousers/Grey shorts

PE and Games Kit:

• Purple/White Tee shirt • Black shorts • White or black plimsolls • A tracksuit is necessary for outdoor PE. This should be dark coloured, without writing and without a hood where possible.

T-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts and cardigans with the school logo on are available from School Time in Chatham, or can be ordered online from www.schooltime.co.uk.

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Pupils’ behaviour is good throughout the school. Pupils are respectful of each other, listen attentively to adults, and work hard in their lessons. “ Ofsted, 2018 ” 10

It’s exciting to be able to help other people, not just in our school. “ ” School Council Member, 2020 11

Community

Links

Please note: the information on these pages is for normal times. Whilst we remain in the coronavirus pandemic, we are following all guidance. This includes no non-essential school visits.

We highly value a close working relationship between home and school and believe that through working in partnership with parents and carers, we can achieve our aims.

We encourage parents to be involved with their children’s learning and teachers are always willing to get in touch when needed. This can prove difficult at the busy times at the beginning and end of the school day, so it is preferable if an appointment or request for a call is made via the office. When possible, we seek to invite parents into school for various events from “Sharing Afternoons” in class to concerts and performances. Our Sports Days are always popular! There are always volunteering opportunities for parents who would like to offer a little bit more to the school. All of our parents automatically become members of Tempo, our parent teacher association, and the committee are always looking for volunteers to help at events or with other projects. Sometimes there are opportunities to welcome volunteers into class to help with hearing readers or practical activities – usually this would be in a different class to that of their children.

We are of course a part of our wider community and we actively seek to develop links within it. We enjoy visits and speakers from local groups and often choose local charities to find out more about and support.

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Admissions and

Extra Information

If you are interested in a place at Temple Mill for your child, please see the admissions procedures below:

Nursery: Please contact the school office on [email protected] for more information and an application form.

Reception Class: To start Temple Mill Primary School in Year R, applications are made through Medway Council. You can find more information here: https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200163/apply_for_a_school_place/694/next_steps_ information If we are oversubscribed, we apply the following admissions criteria: 1. Children in public care/looked after children and previously looked after children 2. Sibling link (a brother or sister attending the school at the time of application and who will still be in school on joining) 3. Medical, health or special access reasons 4. Children of teaching staff 5. Nearness of the child’s home to school Admissions at other times: to join Temple Mill Primary School at any other time than to start Reception, please contact the school on [email protected] to check place availability, more information, and to receive a casual admissions application form.

We look forward to welcoming your family to Temple Mill Primary School.

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We are a part of The Howard Academy Trust - a larger community of schools with a shared moral purpose; to make a positive difference to the lives of the young people in our community.

As a Trust, we currently comprise of Medway secondary and primary schools. We have future growth plans extending into North Kent and have been selected by the DfE and Kent County Council to open a new secondary presumption free school in Margate in September 2023. Learning and growth are at the heart of THAT ethos. We recognise and value the unique talents and expertise within our community and aim to create a culture of dignity, respect and ambition, where all can thrive. This is achieved through: Excellent teaching and learning that promotes inclusivity; Regular opportunities for collaborative CPD to ensure best practice across academies; A proactive network for joint working across academies, for staff at various career stages; The highest standards of behaviour and conduct achieved through clear expectations and positive relationships; The unique character of each academy is valued and contributes to the THAT whole Trust ethos; Shared whole trust values of dignity, respect and ambition; High aspirations for all involved with the Trust and a solutions led approach; Each academy is a hub for its local community and families; Facing outwards and working in collaboration with other organisations and stakeholders; A centralised team that allows academies leaders to focus on their core purpose of education.

We are enormously proud of our schools and of the leaders, governors, teachers and support staff who every day ensure our pupils enjoy and make good progress in their learning.

The Howard School

Miers Court Primary School

Deanwood Primary School

Thames View Primary School

Temple Mill Primary School

Waterfront UTC

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Find out more about our Trust at: www.thatrust.org.uk

Contact Us

Address: Temple Mill Primary School, Cliffe Rd, Strood, Rochester, Kent, ME2 3NL

Office Email: [email protected]

School Phone Number: 01634 629079