Welcome to Briary School

Briary educates 360 children ranging in age from 4 to 11.

Briary Primary School is committed to the concept of 'child first, pupil second'. Our task is to make school a place where every child wants to be; safe secure and valued, enjoying learning and, through exposure to a broad curriculum and excellent teaching, experiencing the feeling of success. We are proud of our success in achieving Teaching Awards in 2004 and 2005 - and being nominated for 2006!

Children at Briary make excellent progress. Our latest 'value-added' scores, based on SATs results, show children are progressing at a rate well above the Kent and national rates. A strong commitment to academic excellence is matched by a clear commitment to sport for all; Briary achieved Activemark Gold status in 2004. We pride ourselves on providing a very high standard of care for our children.

We are committed to a real, supportive partnership with our families and the community. We have:

• A very strong Friends Association
• Our own first-rate Pre-School
• An excellent Toy Library
• Breakfast and After-School care
• Holiday play-schemes
• A wide range of after-school activities

In 2006 we are working towards:

• Setting up a Children's Centre
• Achieving the Healthy Schools Award
• Achieving Community School status

Why not see our latest OfSTED report by clicking on the link below.

OFSTED report from June 2006

The Nature of an Early Years Curriculum

1. The Early Years Curriculum is child centred, focused upon the development of the individual child socially, emotionally, physically, aesthetically, morally and cognitively. It is recognised that the needs of very young children are such, that it is not possible to separate their need for learning experiences from their need for care and emotional support.

2. It is our policy to satisfy the requirements of the Early Learning Goals for the Foundation Stage. The Early Learning Goals set out the expectations of what most children should achieve by the end of the Reception Year. They are organised into six areas of learning, and so, our early years curriculum, by its nature, must also cover these six areas. Our early years curriculum, therefore, focuses on the development of personal and social skills, early literacy and Numeracy skills, develops knowledge and understanding of the world, and develops physical and creative skills.

3. The main aims of the Early Years curriculum at Briary are:

• To promote independence and confidence in all children by ensuring that they feel secure in the school setting, and with all practitioners.

• To promote self-esteem and a strong self-image by valuing the children’s experiences and opinions, and celebrating the qualities which make them individuals.

• To develop the social skills necessary to work successfully with other children, and with practitioners.

• To develop the concentration and listening skills of the children.

• To develop an enthusiasm for learning in all of the children, by creating an atmosphere where teaching and learning is purposeful and enjoyable and where the acquisition of knowledge is celebrated.

• For the children to develop confidence in talking to a variety of individuals and groups, on a wide range of topics, and to listen attentively to others.

• To promote an enjoyment of words and text, encouraging the children to explore a wide range of books, and to write for many different purposes.

• To develop the children’s understanding of number, shape, space, pattern and measure, and to use this knowledge in real life contexts.

• To give the children opportunities to explore and learn about the world around them. To help the children to develop necessary skills such as problem solving, decision making, predicting etc.

• To develop fine and gross motor skills through practice and encouragement.

• To encourage the children to express themselves through dance, music, art, design and technology, imaginative and role-play.
  

Our aim is:

• To enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age in a parent-involving;community-based group
• To provide a safe secure and stimulating environment
• To work within a framework which ensures equality of opportunity for all children and families

We offer your child:

• A specially tailored curriculum leading to the early learning goals
• Individual care and attention made possible by a high ratio of adults to children
• Fun and friendship with children and other adults
• Opportunities for you and your family to be directly involved; in the activities of the group and in your own child's progress

	AM		PM
	From	To	From	To
Monday	8:45	11:30	12:15	2:45
Tuesday	8:45	11:30	12:15	2:45
Wednesday	8:45	11:30	12:15	2:45
Thursday	8:45	11:30	12:15	2:45
Friday	8:45	11:30	12:15	2:45

Our pre-school offers education and care for children below school age and over the age of two and a half years.

Our pre-school is registered with the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and contributes to the Partnership's overall planning to provide education and care throughout the Foundation Stage.

Briary School Club opened in Spring 2000. It is managed by a Committee comprising a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parent and includes the Club Manager and Briary School Headteacher. Though independent of the School, we have a close working relationship with Briary Primary School. The Club is a non-profit organisation and is applying for Charitable Status.

The Club is run by Sharon Corcoran and Carol Antink, who are familiar faces for many of the children at school, as they are also Midday Supervisors at Briary. They each have the Advanced Certificate in Playwork and are friendly, approachable and caring.

The Club has its own building, which was officially opened by the Sheriff of Canterbury, Michael Street Williams. We are able to provide places for 18 children each day. The Club is fully equipped with such things as a pool table, cooker (for when children make pizzas!!) and lots more.

Our aim is to provide a stimulating, happy, relaxed club where your child can socialise in a safe environment and enjoy activities that may not be easily accessible at home. Whilst we have a daily programme of activities, no child is forced to do these activities. They are on offer but many children, after spending the day working hard at school, just prefer to play pool, football or even tennis and frisbee. The choice is up to them.

We are members of KIDS CLUB NETWORK and receive ongoing training with EARLY YEARS CHILDCARE DEVELOPMENT UNIT (EYCDU), part of KCC.

We operate every day during term time, and when Briary School has Staff Development Days plus Holiday Playschemes. We also have a Breakfast Club running from 8.00am to 8.50am each morning, offering breakfast and play before school.

We have on display policies covering admissions, health and safety, behaviour, equal opportunities and child protection. Copies are available on request.

Our Club Rules

So that all our members can enjoy themselves, we ask them to follow 5 SIMPLE RULES, which reflect the School’s rules:-

* We will respect each other
* We will move quietly and safely around the Club
* We will look after our Club
* We will be quick to praise and help each other
* We will sort out our problems peacefully

We do require the behaviour of the children to be of an acceptable standard. They must safeguard their own and others’ safety at all times and if asked to stop an activity, which is deemed dangerous, they must do so immediately. Children are expected to treat the equipment with respect. The Club reserves the right to recover the cost of deliberate damage. When on outings we expect children, for their own safety, to follow instructions, walk in an orderly manner and not show off or mess around, endangering their own or others’ well being.

We promote our Equal Opportunities Policy and therefore expect children to respect this and not show any sexist or racist behaviour. Under the CHILDREN ACT 1989, we are required to report any concerns about a child's welfare.

Guidelines for Parents/Carers

Times:
Breakfast Club: 8.00am – 8.50am
School Club: 3.00pm – 5.00pm
Holiday Club: 9.00am – 5.00pm

Fees:
Breakfast Club: £2.00 per session
School Club: £3.75 per session (includes refreshments and all materials).
Holiday Club: £12.00 per session

Fees are payable in advance, on the first day of the week your child attends. If fees remain outstanding for more than one week without an explanation a charge will be payable to cover administration costs. A charge will be made for collection later than specified.

Absences: If a child is absent other than through confinement in hospital, full charges are payable as costs still have to be met.

Arrival: Can parents please ensure that when they are dropping children off to the Breakfast Club, they do drop them to the door and hand over. This is to ensure the safe arrival of the children.

Departure: Children should be collected no later than 5.00pm by an authorised adult. Parents wishing their child to return home alone, must notify us in writing. A charge of £2 per 15 minutes will be made for children collected late.

Asthma: We recommend parents whose children suffer from asthma, send in their child’s volumetric inhaler on the day the child attends the Club.

All enquiries should be addressed to the Briary School Club on 07743 328270 to either Sharon or Carol.

If you’d like to come and see the Club at work, then why not telephone the Club number and make an appointment – you’d be most welcome.

Application Forms can be obtained from Briary School Office or the Clubhouse.