The object of this booklet is to inform parents and prospective parents about our school and the way we work. We want the time your child spends with us to be a happy and successful one. We feel that for this to happen it is important that there is to be a good relationship between school and home. We hope that you will feel welcome in our school for it will be an important place in your child?s life for the next few years.

We want your child to find fulfillment, happiness and stimulation here and that your association with our school to be an equally enriching and rewarding one.

This booklet is not meant to take the place of any personal contact with school. Indeed opportunities will be provided for you to become familiar with the life of the school.

The school is a primary school and therefore takes children in the term of their 4th birthday. There are at present 5 classes in Key Stage 1 (Infants) - Reception 1& 2, Year 1, Year 1&2 and Year 2.  As children are admitted to the Reception class at the beginning of each term, children sometimes need to move classes during a school year. This is to ensure that there are reasonable numbers in each class. Occasionally, we have classes with two age groups in them so that we can keep the classes as small as possible.

During their final year in Key Stage 1, (Year 2) children are assessed by their teachers and by National Standard Assessment Tasks (SAT?s) as set by the Government. These results are given to parents at the end of this year. They also form part of each child?s Record of Achievement, which is a collection of material, which shows what each child has done whilst in school.

Children move into Key Stage 2 (Juniors) in the September following their 7th birthday. At present there are 4 classes (Years3, 4, 5 and 6).

During their time in the Juniors the children are assessed by their teachers and in their final year (Year 6) they will also be set National Standard Assessment Tasks (SAT?s). These results are also given to parents and form part of the child?s Record of Achievement.

Children leave the school in the July of Year 6 to attend a local Comprehensive school.

The school?s curriculum comprises of 3 ?core? subjects, English, Mathematics, and Science. The other subjects are known as ?foundation? subjects, these are Welsh as a Second Language, Technology, History, Geography, Music, Art and P.E. We also follow a programme of Religious Education.

In the Infant Department, the majority of the work is planned on an integrated theme-based approach; themes are chosen to cover aspects of the National Curriculum and to ensure that the children study a wide range and balance of subjects.

The Junior Department adopts a subject based, approach which we believe ensures a greater depth of understanding of the work taught.

Some children will require extra help with some aspects of learning. Extra help is provided when the Education Authority considers it to be appropriate. This sometimes happens after a support teacher or the Educational Psychologist assesses a child. Parents are informed of concerns and of any assessment procedures. Children, are sometimes given extra help, by part-time teachers who liaise with the class teacher to develop a programme of work to help each child.

Sex education is based upon the principle of dealing with matters as they occur. The teacher answers the children?s questions as sensitively and sympathetically as possible. The questions raised are dealt with at the appropriate age level of the children, taking into account their personalities.

Sex education is not taught in isolation, but rather under the umbrella of a balanced Health Education Programme.

We do expect the children to change their clothes for PE lessons. Many children become very sweaty during these lessons and it is far more hygienic if they can put on fresh clothes afterwards.

In the Juniors, the children are introduced to the team games of rugby, netball, cricket and rounders. The Year 6 children receive swimming lessons at Llanelli Leisure Centre.

The children are expected to take part in all physical education lessons and may only be excused by a doctor?s note or parental explanation.

No formal homework is set in the Infants, however, we do expect the children to practise their reading by reading to you for a few minutes every night. Occasionally children will be asked to learn songs / words or encouraged to question you about things relevant to their work in school.

In the Juniors there is a School policy on homework. The children will be set a minimum of three homework pieces a week, usually on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The homework can take many forms - learning tables, spelling, and written work in language , mathematics and individual investigative work.

Good quality hard-covered homework books are available from school.

The junior children are also expected to read their reading books every night.

Although the wearing of school uniform is not compulsory, most parents are pleased to have the choice of uniform for their children to wear. The school colours are : -

sky blue shirts/blouses or polo shirts; grey trousers/skirt or maroon jogging bottoms; maroon sweater/cardigan or sweatshirt

Sweatshirts, polo shirts, jogging bottoms, ties and baseball caps (all with an embroidered school badge) are available form the office.

Many parents send their children in school uniform. We feel it is important that children realise that school is different to the beach or playing with friends and by wearing an uniform certain standards are expected whilst in school.

Sensible clothing must be worn at all times - no cycling shorts or beachwear clothing are allowed.

We expect all children to behave sensibly and well. Good behavior is essential, especially in a large group, if everyone is to work happily and learn successfully. We use positive encouragement and good examples to help the children develop good behavior. To reward good behaviour and attitude to work the infants have a weekly award in their ?Gold Card? and the juniors have rewards in their ?Passport to Success? scheme.

There are school rules that we expect your child to follow whilst at school. If your child breaks the school rules they will be punished in a variety of ways, these include loss of playtime and other freedoms and privileges. Where the nature of the offence is serious, parents will be contacted and we will work together to help the children become social beings.

We have a weekly Achievement Assembly to praise good work and behaviour.

? Good behaviour is expected at all times i.e. politeness and consideration and respect to others.

? Bullying will not be tolerated (parents will be notified immediately of bullying incidences).

? All children are expected to arrive at school in good time.

? Care must be taken of school property, especially reading books.

? Sweets, Chewing gum. and chocolate are not allowed.

? The wearing of jewellery is strongly discouraged (boys are not allowed to wear ear studs).

? PE kit must be worn for PE / games lessons.

? Children and parents are not allowed to walk through the staff car park.

Infants 8.55 to 11.45 a.m. and 1.00 to 3.10 p.m.  -  with a morning and afternoon break of 15 minutes each

Juniors 8.55 to 12 noon and 1.00 to 3.10 p.m.  -  with a morning break only of 15 minutes

* Pupils should not arrive at school earlier than 8.35 a.m. as they may not be supervised before this time.

Pupils are admitted to the Reception class at the start of the term of their 4th birthday. The ?new? children, along with their parents, are invited to visit the school prior to starting.

Parents seeking admission for their children are invited to contact the school at any time. There is usually a waiting list for entry and it is advisable for parents to contact the school well before the child?s 4th birthday.

The school must be notified of all pupil absences, either by letter, telephone call or verbally. Any absences not covered in this way will be counted as UNAUTHORISED (truancy), and will appear on your child?s school record.

If children are being collected early, or by someone unknown to the school, please inform the teaching staff of this arrangement.

You will naturally want to know how your child is progressing at school. Twice a year we hold Open Evenings, this gives you an opportunity to talk to your child?s teacher and see some of the work your child has done. You will receive a written report detailing your child?s progress at the end of each Summer Term with an interim report detailing attitude and behaviour in January. There may be other times when you will want a brief chat with the teacher. This is possible before and after school, but please arrange a convenient time between yourself and the teacher. If you have any worries, however slight they seem to you, it is usually a good idea to discuss them either with your child?s teacher or the Headteacher.

Our school aims to provide for the education of all the children who attend regardless of race or gender. We believe that all children should have equal access to the curriculum. Since we live in a society of many cultures and races, we feel it is very important to recognise and treat all groups equally free from prejudice, and so encourage positive attitudes and behaviour.

The majority of the children stay in school at lunchtime, eating either their own packed lunch or a dinner prepared in the school?s kitchen.

Midday assistants supervise the children, during lunchtime. It is important that the children listen and do as asked by all adults in the school as they are employed to ensure the children?s safety.

Application for free meals may be made to Pupil Support Services, Education Dept., Pibwrlwyd, Carmarthen.

Free milk is provided for children under the age of five.

As parents of a child registering at the school, you automatically become members of the PTA. A variety of activities and functions are arranged throughout the year. The money raised by the Association is used to provide facilities and resources not normally provided by the Local Authority.

The school offers opportunities for the children to further develop their physical skills by running clubs in rugby, soccer, netball, rounders, cricket and athletics. Recorder and choir groups also rehearse after school. These clubs run from 3.15 to 4.00 or 4. 15p.m.

An After School Club available  for the Junior children on a Thursday from 3.20 to 4.45 p.m..  This is organised CYCA and a small charge is levied for refreshments.

Parents are asked for a contribution towards the cost of any visits organised by the school and sometimes towards the cost of items made at school e.g. cooking or technology work.

Every effort will be made to keep the school open during severe weather conditions. Parents are requested to telephone the school and or listen to the local radio station (The Wave) if there is any doubt.

It is hoped that complaints regarding any aspect of your child?s schooling will be resolved informally in discussion with the Headteacher. Should it not be possible to resolve the complaint informally then the authorities established complaints procedure would be implemented ? (copies available from the Headteacher).

Bryn School has been designated a ?no-smoking school?. Please support and respect the schools no-smoking rule by not smoking yourselves on school premises.

A Fire Drill is practiced once every term.

The present policy is that children may start school in the term of their 4th birthday provided that there are places available. These places are limited and no guarantees can be given. However, we do like to know well in advance of possible new entrants so please encourage your friends to enter their child?s name as soon as possible.

Before your child starts school you will have the opportunity to visit the school so that your child becomes familiar with the school, the teacher and the other children.

Who taught your child to walk ... to talk ... to eat ?.. before coming to school?

The important thing is that you do not stop now that he / she has started school. JOIN with the school to make learning successful.

At Bryn school we aim to give your children a wide range of experiences, which will develop their interest in the environment, art and craft, music and body awareness. We hope to develop their ability to socialize and we encourage them to become independent and caring individuals. Many parents are understandably very concerned with reading. writing and arithmetic, (these curriculum areas are thoroughly taught), but our early years education is also broad and balanced.

Practical activities are very important in these early years. Our use of ?PLAY? materials such as clay, paints, crayons, chalks, construction toys and games all help your child?s physical and intellectual development. Some parents mistakenly feel that this ?PLAY? is a waste of time but it is through play young children learn. Learning should be fun so that it motivates the children and play activities provide them with the various skills which they will need to tackle tasks in the future. Through play they will learn to investigate, question and experiment.