Bethune Park Primary School is an urban school situated on the west side of Hull. Our catchment area includes a selection of private and council housing, served by local shops churches and other amenities. We are part of the Kingston Upon Hull Local Education Authority as one of 80 Primary schools within the city boundary. Our school consists of two buildings linked by a recently built internal corridor. We have a library, a large ICT suite and a mobile classroom. In addition we are fortunate to have a gym, a hall and our own kitchen where school meals are prepared. Our nursery caters for 26 full time equivalent places and our reception class has its own secure outside play area. We have a secure site and are developing our school grounds to include a wild garden area. We are in the process of developing our internal quads into good learning resource areas. We are extremely proud of our Hearing Impaired Unit that takes pupils from a wide area of the region. These pupils are based with a mainstream class and may either receive additional support within the classroom or be withdrawn for specific activities. click here to read the full prospectus or click here to Meet the Staff School Statement We aim to equip pupils to be confident, responsible and well educated, so that they can fulfil positive roles in society. We will provide a just, stimulating and caring environment where excellence can develop through high quality learning experiences and where the individual needs and abilities of pupils are taken into account. These values underpin our pupils’ spiritual, moral, cultural and social development and we will work in partnership with our parents and community to achieve this. School Aims * To raise standards of achievement for all; * To provide a caring, safe, ordered and stimulating environment in which children may grow in knowledge, confidence and self esteem; * To encourage pupils to develop lively, enquiring, imaginative and creative minds and to become independent and confident learners; * To aspire to be a fully inclusive school; to recognise and value the efforts and achievements of all; * To enable pupils to use number, and language effectively; to foster an understanding of healthy living and an appreciation of aesthetic, scientific, and technological achievements; * To develop positive partnerships with parents, carers and the wider community. This will enable pupils to embrace the challenge of life in the wider world, and find and enrich their place within it; * To nurture in pupils the ability to develop a reasoned set of attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviours to encourage them to become positive citizens. To foster a respect for adults, each other and the school environment.

To offer a broad, balanced and stimulating curriculum which will address the development of the child as a whole, serve their needs, offer them new experiences and encourage lively, enquiring and imaginative minds. It will enable them to question the world around them, to think for themselves, to solve problems and will nurture the skills they need to survive, adapt and succeed in the ever changing future by developing:

* the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and understanding from a variety of sources;
* the ability to convey meaning clearly and accurately, through speech and the written word;
* the ability to communicate mathematically, solve problems and apply these skills;
* moral and spiritual values which reflect those of our society whilst respecting the views of others;
* an appreciation of human values and aspirations;
* the ability to perform simple scientific procedures, understand concepts and appreciate modern technological developments;
* an understanding of how the body works and the basic principles of health and hygiene;
* fit and healthy bodies, equipped with a wide range of physical skills;
* an understanding of the geographical, historical and social aspects of the local and wider environment, national heritage and culture.
* An awareness of other times, places, cultures, religions and races and how these shape our current society.
* an awareness of the effects and ability to make use of new technology in a rapidly changing society, especially with respect to computers and electronic information handling;
* appropriate techniques to understand and communicate their feelings through various art forms;
* aesthetic appreciation through a variety of art forms.

These aims will be achieved by:

* stressing the fundamental importance of basic numeracy and literacy skills;
* providing a solid foundation allowing access to the whole curriculum;
* having relevance for all pupils by offering them a range of activities, regardless of gender, race, religion or disability;
* providing differentiation to allow pupils of differing ability and attainment to learn and progress at an appropriate level, thus ensuring that all pupils meet their potential;
* structuring the curriculum to ensure continuity and progression;
* building on the children’s existing experiences, using the environment, first hand experience and utilising school, community and parental expertise;
* developing cross-curricular links to help co-ordinate the areas of experience and foster concept development;
* involving pupils (where possible) in determining the direction of their own learning in order that the process becomes interactive;
* encouraging co-operative working between peers to develop problem solving techniques.

As a school we value the views and opinions of everyone and for this reason the School Council was established.

Two representatives are elected from each class twice a year. Regular meetings are held, attended by members of staff, at which the class representatives have the opportunity to voice the views, opinions and concerns of their peers.

Many issues have been raised and the children are encouraged to look for positive ways forward in the hope of resolving them.

During the first year the School Council has used their influence and played an important role in:

children being allowed to wear earrings and watches (with restrictions)
the purchase of two friendship benches (one for each Key Stage)
selecting colours for re-decorating

Current issues that the School Council are involved in are:

talks with Mrs Swaby, the school cook, regarding the possibility of changes to the dinner menu
the setting up of a healthy tuck shop
the introduction of a buddy scheme, the purpose of which is for nominated children to support and befriend their peers.

The first year of the School Council has been very successful not only because of what has been achieved, but also in the increased confidence of the children who serve on it.