School Resources and Organisation

We have one year group per year and the school is organised into two key stages. After Reception children move into our Year One Class and start learning from the National Curriculum. Years One and Two are known as Key Stage One. Key Stage Two covers 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Session Times and Holidays

Morning 8:45am -- 12:00am
Afternoon 1:10pm -- 3:20pm

Children can join the playground from 8.30am when a teacher is on duty. However we ask that reception children wait with a parent in the Reception playground prior to school starting. Reception and Key Stage One have a short break during the afternoon.

As children progress through the school they are expected to take on posts of responsibility. Some children choose to become playleaders which involves leading games and activities for younger children at lunchtime. All year 6 children apply for one school job which ranges from collection of registers to supporting younger children during wet playtimes.

School Resources

The School has a large playing field, and grassed areas adjacent to the playground and classrooms. The accommodation consists of eight individual classrooms in the two-storey building, with use of the two rear classrooms in the adjacent ex-Infant building.

Meadgate School occupies one site for infant and junior children. This means that older and younger children support each other. When children finish Year Two they are confident to move to the next stage of their learning without the anxiety of having to move to a new school or get to know unfamiliar teachers. All classrooms are spacious and are fitted with carpets and Interactive Whiteboards. There is a large Assembly Hall, Computer Suite and Music Room. Adjoining the School is a large, indoor, heated swimming pool where the children are fortunate to be able to have weekly swimming lessons throughout their time at Meadgate. Our wildlife area, pond and landscaped garden help children to become aware of the natural world we live in and how we are responsible for its care. The School benefits from a well-resourced library for use by all the children.

We are also well resourced in terms of personnel. Our staff are experienced and extremely dedicated. We offer high levels of adult support in the classroom and playground as we believe this makes a strong impact on pupil progress. In addition we employ a range of administration staff to ensure the school runs smoothly and that teachers are freed up to concentrate on teaching and learning rather than administration tasks.

School Leadership:Governors

A governing body is like a board of directors and makes decisions about how a school is run. To do this, they use committees and working parties that report to the full Governing Body at least once a term. To help them, training is available free-of-charge. Governors are voluntary and unpaid. Governors are appointed to help:

shape the vision and direction of the School
ensure that all children receive the best possible education with the resources available
ensure that the School fulfils its statutory duties
support and challenge the Headteacher and her Senior Management Team
decide how the School Budget is spent
ensure the safety and welfare of all children

Following the introduction of the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2003, governing bodies are now required to choose the size and membership of the governing body. The size of the governing body may range from 9 to 20 members from the following categories of governor:

Parent Governors - parents of registered pupils at the school
Staff Governors - teaching and support staff at the school
LA Governors - any person appointed by the local authority
Community Governors - people from a business or professional background and minor authority representatives appointed by the governing body to represent community interests.
Sponsor Governors - appointed at the discretion of the governing body to persons who give substantial assistance to the school, financially or in kind.
Associate Members - may be appointed by the governing body when specific expertise or experience (for instance, finance) is required.

The Governors at Meadgate School have adopted a Governing Body of 15 members comprising 5 parents, 3 staff, 3 LA and 4 community Governors. As required, the Clerk to the Governors prepares an Instrument of Government recording the constitution of the Governing Body and this is submitted to the LA and approved.

Parent Governors, who, ideally, should have a child in the School at the time they are elected, are elected by other parents of the School and serve, as do other Governors, for a period determined by the Governing Body (currently, four years). Their role is to bring the views of parents to the Governing Body, but they speak and act as individuals. They should not be thought of as delegates, or 'mouthpieces' of the parents and do not vote for all parents in general. They have equal status in the work of the Governing Body and have the same voting rights. If you are interested in becoming a Parent Governor, please ask the Headteacher for details.

If you need to contact a Governor on any matter, please do so through the School Office. A full list of members of the Governing Body can be requested from the school office.

Lunchtimes

Lunchtimes at Meadgate are purposeful and fun. Younger children play alongside older children and we make sure there are plenty of games and activities available. We have a team of midday assistants, two of which are Senior Midday's who oversee the smooth running of lunchtime. They all have training in first aid, which is updated regularly. Each class has an assigned Midday Assistant to liaise with teachers and children before and after the lunchtime session.

Good behaviour at lunchtime is rewarded with Lunchtime Superstar Stickers. Classes work as a team with the aim of winning the Lunchtime Superstar Cup at the end of the half term.

At Meadgate we provide a healthy dinner and a choice from the salad bar with food supplied by Ashlyn's Organic Farm and other local farms. The menus meet government nutritional standards. The cost of a school meal is presently £1.80. A menu is enclosed, based on a three-week cycle. This does change, usually every term. Children are encouraged to try new foods perhaps not eaten at home. Whilst eating in the dinner hall is a social time, we do insist on good standards of behaviour. Younger children are encouraged to use a knife and fork and to sit correctly at the table.

If children are bringing their own lunch, when first starting school your child will need a small packed lunch without sweets, chocolate or nuts. A senior MDA will liaise with the class teacher if we feel they need more. Please try new sandwich fillings at home first; food not eaten will be sent home in their lunchboxes.

Lunchtimes can be a cause of anxiety to children and parents. At Meadgate we ensure that every child is cared for, has someone to play with and has lots of opportunities to have fun.

Uniform

The School and Governors strongly encourage the wearing of uniform. All clothing must be clearly marked with the owner's name.

Boys: Grey Trousers, white shirts with school tie, or white, gold or Burgundy polo shirts, Burgundy pullovers, or sweatshirts, and black shoes.

Girls: Grey skirts/pinafore dresses or tailored trousers, white blouses with school tie, or white, gold, Burgundy polo shirts, Burgundy pullovers, cardigans or sweatshirts, and black shoes. Red and white or yellow and white checked dresses for Summer wear.

Art and Craft: It is helpful if parents send in a cut-down shirt with elasticated sleeves or an apron for use in Art.

P.E.: Black Shorts, White T-shirts, or black leotards for P.E.; plimsolls or trainers and suitable garments for outdoor sports as required. Tracksuits are useful for the colder weather.

Swimming: Swimming costume or swimming trunks (no bikinis or baggy shorts please), swimming hat, towel in a waterproof bag.

The following items of uniform may be purchased from the school office: Sweatshirts, reversible fleece / waterproof coats, T-shirts, polo shirts, cardigans, pullovers, ties, shorts, swimming caps, baseball caps, book bags, P.E. bags and backpacks. (Please see the current price list in the School Brochure or in the front entrance hall.) We also have some second hand uniform available on request. Children representing the School for sporting events will have their team kit provided.

Arrangements to Visit

Arrangements can be made to visit the School by appointment with the Headteacher, who will be pleased to see parents, show them the School and provide further information. We also hold two Open Mornings in the Autumn Term which we advertise via the local press and at the feeder nurseries.

The Headteacher and Staff are available immediately before School for urgent messages or after School for concerns or queries. It is always advisable to make an appointment at other times. Appointments may be made by contacting the School Office.

Parents of new entrants may bring their children to see the School and meet the teacher whose class they will be joining at any time prior to their admission to School. All new parents are invited to attend a meeting where matters relating to their child's introduction to School will be discussed. Children spend two induction sessions in the classroom with their teacher and fellow pupils. They also enjoy a 'Teddy Bears' Picnic' in the school grounds. The Reception class teacher and Learning Support Assistant organise Home Visits in the week prior to children starting school. This has proved very successful in helping the children get to know their teachers and start school happily.