Starting school is an exciting occasion and it is important that both you and your child are confident in your choice of school is a dynamic caring and supportive community where all steps are taken to ensure the best possible start in education for the children in our care.

We are pleased that you have taken the time to read our prospectus and hope that it gives you an insight into what Yew Tree School has to offer.

It is our aim to get the best out of the children under our care. We achieve this by providing a broad and balanced curriculum with a strong emphasis on Numeracy and Literacy. The School provides a caring, stimulating and safe environment for the children to grow and develop as individuals. Our last OFSTED Inspection praised the progress that the children are making, their very good behaviour and the good quality teaching that they receive. The school was judged to be good (or better) in all categories.

We have joint management of the Acorn Nursery with Oakdale Special School. As most of our children attend the Nursery before they enter our reception classes they receive a good start to their education, continuity and progression are ensured.

Due to our size we are able to offer many benefits for your child; these include excellent facilities such as a large playing field, separate library and an eighteen place computer suite. We have very good staffing levels which include two Nursery Nurses in our reception classes a Learning Mentor and nine Teaching Assistants support the children throughout the school. The provision of a separate Infant and Junior buildings and playgrounds ensure children feel safe and secure.

Many parents come into school on a regular basis and work with the children in the classrooms. We value all support from parents no matter how small. If you would like more information about the school please contact us. You are always welcome to have a look around and meet the teachers.

We aim to provide a challenging and stimulating curriculum where all children can achieve their full potential. We strive to provide a happy, secure and safe learning environment where children develop the skills needed to become responsible adults.

We aim for all our pupils to become self-motivated, independent learners, to develop a clear sense of right and wrong, of justice and responsibility; to be able to work co-operatively and be sensitive to, and tolerant of the beliefs and attitudes of others.

• Providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum planned to meet the needs of all pupils, regardless of learning need, disability, gender, creed, ethnic or social background.
• Promoting excellence and enjoyment at all times and in all areas.
• Encouraging the children’s spiritual, moral, and cultural development.
• Encouraging the children to; respect and appreciate others, their feelings, views and capabilities, both at school and in the community at large.
• Promoting self confidence and building self-esteem.
• Establishing links with outside agencies, including community groups, to support learning and child development.

As well as the normal 'in school' activities, Yew Tree tries to offer a wide range of other interests both at lunch-time and after 3.30pm. It should be stressed that none of these interfere in any way with a child's academic studies but in fact complement them. Every school week the building is in use for an average 60 hours. The staff are all dedicated and give many hours of their own time to help the children. Specific clubs/sessions cater for sporting, music and ICT interests.

At various times of the year your child may be asked to go on an educational visit. During the school year visits to various places will be made. Teachers incorporate visits into their schemes of work. Usually this happens in foundation subjects when a visit can prove more educationally beneficial than spoken or written work.

Children are also given the opportunity to go on an outdoor Activity break in Year 6.

“During the coming years, your child, with many others, may be taking part in school activities outside school premises and perhaps also outside school hours. We hope your child will find these events both helpful and enjoyable.

The purpose of this document is to draw your attention to the risks that can arise when your child takes part in out of school activities. The Council's aim is that out of school activities should be properly organised and that all reasonable precautions should be taken for the safety and well being of your child. Your child may, nevertheless, be exposed to additional hazards, e.g. accidents in the course of travel or sporting activities.

An accident might occur because of negligence by the Council, or because of negligence by a teacher, another member of the Council's staff, or voluntary helper acting in the knowledge and approval of the Authority, (e.g. lack of proper supervision). In this sort of case, the Council will fully accept it's responsibilities, and has an insurance policy which applies whenever it is legally liable to pay compensation for accidental injury or accidental damage to property. On the other hand, an accident might occur where the Council cannot be held responsible or liable. In particular, an accident might be caused by the child with no fault attributable to the teacher, the Council or any party or parties other than the child. In such a case the parent might thus be held responsible and in view of this, you may wish to consider your own insurance position. Many people do not insure against such risks, although some may be covered by their ordinary household policy. In the case of trips abroad and other major excursions, the teacher-in-charge would normally arrange group insurance and you would be advised of this at the time.

There is one other point. Urgent medical treatment might be needed in circumstances where it is not possible to contact the parent. In this situation, I hope that you would be willing to agree that the teacher-in-charge of any party may give the necessary consent on your behalf.”

Your child's teacher may arrange visits to various places which are connected with the work the children are doing in class, e.g. farms, churches, museums etc. Parents will be asked to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of such visits. School has a small amount of money to help towards the cost of such visits, but as a general principle the visit will only take place if the voluntary contributions cover the cost of the trip.

If damage or loss occurs to school property as a result of a pupil's misbehaviour, the school reserves the right to ask for a contribution from the parent towards the cost of repair or replacements. Children are told not to bring personal property into school.