Dear Parents/Carers

Thank you for your recent enquiry and for considering our infant school for your child. Our Prospectus will provide you with information you need when making what is one of the most important decisions in your child's life: the best place for infant education.

I hope that you will find it informative and that it answers all of your questions. However, please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like more details or to arrange an informal discussion about the suitability of Nether Green Infant School for you and your family.

I am extremely proud of our school and together we all share responsibility for the children's development and happiness. The staff and governors are committed to providing the very best educational experiences, to encourage our children to become enthusiastic learners, to develop a sense of self worth and to foster respect for everyone within and around our community.

I look forward to welcoming you to Nether Green Infant School.

Yours sincerely

Bridget Ball (Headteacher)

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Dear Parent

I am very pleased to be asked to contribute to the prospectus of Nether Green Infant School.

Every child deserves and needs a high quality, broad based education in order to succeed in life. To this end, the Education service will work with all schools in the city to ensure that your child has the best possible resources, provided by well-trained and motivated staff in sound buildings.

The Education service strives constantly to develop its relationship with schools, in order to improve standards and provide the range of educational opportunities necessary to equip our children with the skills needed by employers.

There are still schools in the city, which require more capital investment, despite the fact that huge sums of money have been spent in recent years on rebuilding and refurbishing a number of schools. The new administration has made the case to central government for further funds, and indeed has secured significant extra resources for the coming period. Still more are needed, however, and we will not cease in our efforts to maximize investment in our school buildings.

We are committed to listening to parents' views on the schools their children attend and I hope that schools will continue to develop close relationships with the communities they serve.

I am sure that all the members of Sheffield City Council join me in wishing you and your child well. You have my assurance that we will work as hard as possible to offer your child the best from your Education service.

Councillor Angela Smith
Cabinet Member for Education and Training

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• To create a welcoming, happy, secure atmosphere
  
  
• To provide a stimulating, exciting environment to develop a natural curiosity for learning
  
  
• To help all children progress academically, physically, emotionally, aesthetically and socially, developing their own particular strengths
  
  
• To provide a challenging, broad and balanced curriculum through careful planned and assessed work, including the requirements of the National Curriculum and Foundation Stage
  
  
• To develop each child's tolerance and respect of others by fostering a co-operative and caring attitude
  
  
• To give equal opportunities to all children regardless of sex, race, culture, ability or disability

We believe that these aims can best be achieved by partnership involving children, parents, staff, governors and the local community.

This prospectus has two sections, one containing general information about school and the other detailed curriculum information.

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Teaching Staff

Mrs Helen Ault
Mrs Tracy Bagshaw
Miss Bridget Ball (Headteacher)
Mrs Sarah Farrell
Mrs Helen Keeling
Mrs Suzanne Lipscomb
Miss Kay Stockdale
Miss Joy Tattersfield (Deputy Headteacher)
Mrs Jane Wigley
Mrs Rachel Wyatt

Teaching Assistants

Mrs Jenny Clark
Mrs Brenda Godbehere
Mrs Patricia Humphrey

Whole School Assistant

Helen Morris

Office Staff

Mrs Pam Crowson
Mrs Val Higgins

Caretaker

Mr Les Cambell

Midday Supervisors

Mrs Denise Abdulla
Mrs Christine Bellamy
Mrs Judy Blanks
Mrs Claire Brown
Mrs Fiona Lockwood
Mrs Helen Morris
Mrs Jo Mitchell
Mrs Maria Rose

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The school was built in 1974. It is an attractive modern building situated in a very pleasant residential area in Sheffield.

There are 4 large, light semi open-plan teaching bases designed for two classes to use. They are set around a large hall used for P.E., assemblies, music, dance, drama, school productions and the children eat their dinner in the hall at the lunchtime.

All bases are well resourced with reading and library books, mathematics equipment, play and technology equipment, computers and art area. They have their own cloakrooms, toilets and safety locking external doors.

There is also a separate mobile classroom, which is fully equipped. Our ICT room contains 15 networked computers for whole class use. There are 3 other smaller rooms, which are used for baking, special needs work, art activities and play.

The reception area houses an extensive reference library, school clerk's office, headteacher's room, staff room and medical room.

Outside there is a large play area featuring a play trail and two play houses. A large school garden is used for science activities.

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The school has an admission number of 75 children per year group. Parents who are considering applying to the school for a place for their child are welcome to make an appointment to talk to the headteacher and look around the school.

In Sheffield 'Rising Five' children are admitted at two points during the academic year:

Date of birth - September to February start in September Date of birth - March to August start in January

The Governors of Nether Green Infant School have adopted Sheffield City Council Admissions Policy and Procedures. These can be found in the booklet, 'A Guide for Parents' available form the Sheffield Education Department.

Preliminary Visits
Prior to starting school full time children are invited to visit the school and meet their new teacher. On these days your child can become familiar with the layout of the classroom, work and play areas, the cloakroom and toilets. In addition, we will organise an evening parents' meeting so that you have the opportunity to meet the staff and ask any questions you may have.

Getting Ready for School
We try to make your child's first days at school happy and enjoyable. Parents taking advantage of the pre-school visits may help this.

It is of tremendous help, if before starting school, children are able to do a few simple things for themselves. Can you please encourage them to:

• Use the toilet unaided, including washing and drying hands
• Recognise their name when it is written
• Change shoes and plimsolls
• Be able to change for P.E. - dress and undress
• Hang up their coat and P.E. bag
• Be able to use a knife, fork and spoon
• Apply sunscreen if required

If you would like to help your child with learning skills the reception teacher will be happy to advise you.

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The school day begins at 8.50 a.m.

The school day ends at 3.30 p.m.

The start of the day
Children may arrive in school from 8.30 a.m. They should not be left unaccompanied on school premises until 8.40 a.m. Parents are welcome to stay with their child/children until the bell is rung at 8.50 a.m.

Break times
There are two breaks - mid-morning and mid-afternoon - 15 minutes each. Healthy snacks are permitted at school for morning break time. Please keep portions small and easy for children to eat.

Lunch time
Lunchtime is 12.00 noon to 1.20 p.m.

Afternoon
The afternoon session is 1.20 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.

Home Time
At 3.30 p.m. please wait on the pavement in front of school, not in the narrow pathways leading to the bases as this causes congestion. At the end of the school day, a member of staff is on duty outside the school. Children are taught to wait with that staff member until they see the adult who is meeting them from school. Any child not met will be brought inside to wait in the entrance area with the member of staff on duty.

Many parents bring and collect children by car. For the safety of the children please observe the following common sense suggestions:

• Park on the school side of the road only
• Do not park or stop on or between the yellow zig-zag lines
• Operate a voluntary one-way system, approaching from Fulwood Road by the top entrance of Stumperlowe Park Road opposite Belsize Road.

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It is very important that we have current home telephone numbers, mobile 'phone numbers and up-to-date telephone numbers of a relative or friend who we can contact in case of an emergency.

Please notify us immediately of any changes to this information.

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At Nether Green Infant School, we recognise that it is vital to build a strong partnership between all staff and parents because we know this is important in ensuring that our children receive the best education possible.

We try to keep parents well informed and fully involved by:

• Sending home regular newsletters to tell you about special events, outings and school activities as well as giving information on day-to-day school life.
• Inviting you to come into the classroom every morning with your child
• Inviting you to assemblies
• Organising concerts and celebrations
• Holding open evenings to give parents time to see and discuss their child's or children's work with the class teacher
• Initiating curriculum evenings on specific subjects. These evenings give parents and staff time to share ideas and information on important education issues.
• Providing a parents' notice board - located in the entrance area
• Maintaining a governor's notice board in the foyer
• Issuing an invitation for you to come and help out in any way you can in school, perhaps helping children with art and craft activities, a gardening project, baking, sewing, language and mathematical games etc.
• We also appreciate the help parents can give by accompanying children on educational visits

If you would like to help in school in any way, please volunteer. Talk to the class teacher about suitable times and the kinds of activities in which you would like to be involved. Or look out for notices in your child's base asking for specific help during the year.

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The staff work as a caring and professional team, sensitive to the emotional and social needs of the children in their charge. The class teacher is able to establish a special rapport with the children in his/her class and takes an interest in the 'whole child'.

It is essential that you inform us of anything that may affect your child's education and we assure you that personal information will be kept confidential. Similarly we will keep you well informed about any concerns we may have about your child so that we can work together to help your child.

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We have high expectations of good behaviour. Children are encouraged to have self-discipline. Staff praise acceptable behaviour whenever possible and we all try to treat each other with care and respect.

Children are encouraged to see that the rules are there for their own safety and well-being. Parents are kept well informed and involved so that parents and school can work together to help the individual child.

Parents and children are introduced to the school Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policies at the time of admission, which explains our joint approach to behaviour.

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Under Section 36 of the Education Act 1944, parents of children of compulsory school age are required to ensure that they receive full-time education. Parents are responsible for ensuring that children regularly attend school. It is the responsibility of the school to support attendance and to take seriously problems, which may lead to non-attendance. At Nether Green Infant School, we consider that regular attendance is of prime importance. Absence is sometimes unavoidable but irregular attendance undermines the educational process.

2003/2004
Attendance Rate 96.3%
Authorised absence 3.7%
Unauthorised absence 0.0%

T%

Holidays Taken in Term Time
Sheffield LEA prefers that holidays should not be taken during school time. Parents need to complete a request form to inform school of forthcoming holiday absences.

Absences During the School Day
If your child has to be absent from school due to an appointment, e.g. dentist or doctor, the parent or carer needs to collect an 'absence pass' from the school office.

In the interest of the children the school will not authorise absence during the period of Government Tests (SATs). The dates of these tests will be clearly displayed in advance on the Parents' Notice Board (usually the first half of the term).

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Please ensure that your child is equipped with clothing and footware appropiate for the season and prevailing weather, including a hat and sun cream in the summer. Children should not wear jewellery in school.

Although there is currently no compulsory school uniform, the Governors regularly review all aspects of the dress code policy. A survey of parents opinions on school uniform is an integral part of the review.

Children do P.E. and movement work in the hall in bare feet. but will need plimsols for outside activities. Children also need a leotard or a pair ofshorts plus t-shirt and a draw string bag to which to keep them in.

The PTA sells t-shirts, sweat shirts and polo shirts with the school name and logo, which are popular.

Please name all articles so that mislaid ones can be easily identified. A school lost property box is kept in the foyer.

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The Parent Teacher Association, to which all NGIS parents automatically belong, organises educational meetings, social gatherings and fund raising events, which are well supported. The money raised contributes towards the School Fund income.

The school uses this money to:

• Provide equipment which cannot be taken from the school allocation money from the LEA
• Pay for a children's party at Christmas time
• Defray the costs of educational visits where voluntary contributions do not match the real cost

We appreciate all the hard work parents put in for the school. To find out how to be involved in the P.T.A., please contact the school office, put a note in the P.T.A. box in the entrance or look out for the P.T.A. newsletter and notices.

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At Nether Green Infant School we recognise the need to prepare our children for the transfer to a junior school. Our aim is to ensure that the children are prepared and make this step happily and with confidence. Nether Green Infant School and Broomhill Infant School both have link status with Nether Green Junior School. Where there are more applications than there are places available, the LEA applies the over-subscription criteria as described in the booklet 'A Guide for Parents'.

There are several occasions when children and parents have the opportunity to visit Nether Green Junior School whilst the children are in Year 2.

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Medical Room
There is a medical room in the school to which children are taken if they are ill or if they have had an accident. Parents are issued with a form if a child has had a head injury. Ill or hurt children are usually cared for by a Teachers assistant until they have recovered or until parents are sent for and arrive to collect their child.

Medicine
The school cannot be responsible for the administration of medicine unless the illness is life-threatening and has been agreed under an individual Health Care Plan. If a child needs to take medication such as antibiotics but is well enough to come to school, please request a dosage which can be taken outside school hours or come to school to administer a dose at the appropriate time.

Asthma
Children with asthma may be required to keep an inhaler with his or name on at school and can ask to use it whenever they need it. Parents of asthmatic children are asked to complete a school asthma card. Please inform us if your child becomes asthmatic at any time during their school life.

Medicals
There is a programme of medicals, dental checks, vision and hearing tests. Parents are notified of these by forms and by letter and are invited to attend.

Illness
If your child is ill, please keep him/her at home and notify the school either by telephone or in writing. It is important that we know why a child is not at school. If your child is sick or becomes ill at school we will contact you by telephone. It is important that we can always contact you in case of illness or an accident.

Infectious Diseases
In order to prevent the spread of disease, we recommend that parents should keep children at home if they are suffering from any of the following:

Sheffield School Nursing Service
Every child deserves to be as fit and healthy as possible, to gain the maximum benefit from their education. The school nursing team regularly visits all schools. The team comprises of a qualified nurse who is available to help with any health concerns about your child and has dose links with community paediatricians, GPs, health visitors and other professionals who care for children. The team also includes health care assistants who carry out routine screening of children at school entry.

With parental agreement the School Nurse can provide a link between home and school and act on the child's behalf. The nurse will also provide information, advice and support on health issues to teachers, children and parents. This can be offered individually or in groups as part of health promotion programmes.

Routine screening of your child's height, weight, vision and hearing is offered to all children within the first year of school. Where any problems are identified appropriate follow-up and referral can be made. These tests can be carried out on request at any age if concerns are highlighted.

Your school nurse is responsible for arranging routine vaccinations in the secondary school. These are the BCG (Tuberculosis) vaccination and School Leavers Booster (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio) which are carried out in Year 8 and Year 9. No vaccinations are routinely carried out in primary schools. If you have any questions regarding vaccinations that you feel your child may be due, please contact your school nurse or your GP surgery.

You can contact the School Nurse at any time during your child's school life. Contact details are available either through the school office or contact the central school nurse office tel: 226 2010.

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Dinners are cooked at Nether Green Junior School and are brought in containers to this school. The children are encouraged to eat well. Please inform us in writing of any allergies that your child has.

Dinner Money
Cash or cheque can be used to pay for dinners either weekly or half-termly. Cheques should be made payable to Sheffield City Council. Refunds owing to absence are carried over. Information on free meal entitlement can be obtained on request from the school office or at the Education Office, Derwent House, 150 Arundel Gate, Sheffield S1.

Packed Lunches
Packed lunches may be brought in a lunch box with the name of the child on it. Children may bring non-fizzy drinks, which must be in a non-breakable container. Water is available in the dining room. We ask that you do not send in sweets, an equivalent to chocolate pudding/biscuit is accesptable. We have children in school with allergies to peanuts, nuts and conkers (inc. peanut butter). Please do not send your child with these items.

Cooks require 2 weeks notice in writing from children wishing to change from dinners to packed lunch or visa versa. If a child forgets a packed lunch, a school meal will be provided.

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Milk
At present milk is free for Under 5s, but once he or she is 5, parents are required to pay. The charge is an average one and is a no credit/debit basis i.e. no refund or carrying forward of money. The school is notified of the exact amount by the Education Officer, and will pass on the information to parents. If you wish your child to have milk, it must be paid for termly in advance. A letter is sent to remind parents of this. Water is available to those who do not want milk. There is a choice between pasteurised milk or dental milk (with added fluoride).

Water
Children may bring water in a non-breakable container. This container needs to be named and may be brought to school everyday and kept in the child's classroom. Children are asked to take the container home to refill for the next day. Water fountains are located at various points around the school.

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The school has opted into the School Fruit and Vegitable Scheme, a national government programme entitling all children at the school a free piece of fruit or vegitable each day. As this will be the only snack the children will have during school hours, parents are advised that they need not send a snack to school.

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When you send money in to school, whether it is for dinners, educational visits, milk money or for any other purpose, it should be in a sealed envelope with your child's name, class, amount and reason for payment written on the front of the envelope. The children should hand the envelope to their class teacher. Monday is the preferred day to receive money at school.

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The Governors support the headteacher's policy of ensuring that no child misses a school activity because his or her parents are in financial difficulties. However the school cannot cover the cost so some activities and parents are usually asked for contributions. Should a large number of parents decline to contribute it is unlikely that such activities can take place. In cases of financial difficulty parents can discuss the situation confidentially with the headteacher and every effort will be made to find a solution.

Such activities include educational trips, visitors to school (authors, theatre groups, musicians, science presentations etc.) and home economic ingredients.

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If books or equipment are lost or damaged then parents are charged the replacement cost.

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Although the City Council's insurance covers damage or injury arising from Council negligence, the Council does not have personal accident insurance to cover pupils. Some parents take out accident insurance for their children. Such policies are available from main insurance companies. The National Confederation of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTA) has arranged a specific policy for this purpose. Further details are available on their website http://www.cpta.org.uk or by calling 01732 748850.

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Complaints can best be resolved in discussion with the class teacher, headteacher or other staff and those with complaints will normally be advised to seek to resolve them through informal discussion before embarking on a formal stage. If informal discussions fail to resolve the issue the parent can make a formal complaint to the governing body of the school and to the LEA. Copies of the documents outlining the procedures to be followed are available in school.

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The governing body at Nether Green Infant School is comprised of a combination of appointed, elected and co-opted governors. It is responsible along with the head teacher for the general running of the school.

The role of the governors is to:

• Decide (with the headteacher and the LEA if appropriate) the aims and policies of the school, and how the standards of education can be improved.
• Decide the conduct of the school - that is, how in general terms it should be run
• Help to draw up (with the headteacher and staff) the school development plan
• Decide, with due consultation, how to spend and monitor the school's budget
• Ensure that the National Curriculum, Foundation Stage and Religious Education are taught, and to report National Curriculum assessment results
• Select teaching staff for the school, and deal with other staffing matters in consultation with the headteacher
• Monitor the state of the school premises and equipment
• Act as a link between the local community, the school and the City Council

The full governing body meets formally at least once a term with additional meetings of subcommittees when necessary. Once a year a report is written to parents and an open meeting is held.

Further information on governance matters may be found on the Governor's notice board, located in the school foyer.

Parent Governors
If you are a parent or guardian of a child at Nether Green Infant School you can stand for election as a parent governor. There are four parent governors who represent the parents of the school. Please contact one of the governors if you require further information.

Photographs of the school governors are on display on the Governor's notice board.

Governors of Nether Green Infant School
(as at December 2003)

All governors can be contacted via the school office.

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The children in the three year groups (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) are organised in classes where we aim to keep numbers below 30 pupils. This means a mixed age class of the oldest Year 1 and the youngest year 2 children. Thoroughness of whole school and year group planning by teams of staff ensure children receive an appropriate differentiated curriculum for all abilities. Teacher assistants work with groups of children alongside the teacher as appropriate.

Children are taught for 21 hours during a normal school week (excluding breaktimes, lunch times and assemblies).

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Assessment is at the heart of teaching. One of the most important forms of assessment is that which occurs on a daily basis between the teacher and pupil. Work is matched to the all round ability of each individual child and the class teacher continually monitors each child's progress and assesses and records development.

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