School Prospectus

Contents
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Our school occupies an attractive woodland site to the North of the Burgh of Dingwall. The building dates from 1970 and has been renovated with new windows and complete redecoration of the whole school now complete. The classrooms are of generous size and contribute to a stimulating learning environment for the pupils.

The single storey east wing is occupied by P1-3 classes, with classrooms grouped round communal areas for each year group. The central portion of the complex contains the school kitchen, extensive dining areas, the hall/gym, changing rooms and heating plant. This connects with the two storey building which houses most P4-7 classes and the main school office. Demountable huts in the playground house the nursery, two further classes and the 3 O’Clock Club – an after school club run by parents.

There are presently 16 mainstream classes in the school with a further 4 classes taught in the medium of Gaelic. Our Nursery is housed in a Demountable Hut close to the school and has Gaelic and English medium classes. We also have many pupils with special needs, including several deaf pupils, who are supported in mainstream classes by teachers or learning support auxiliaries.

Access to the School

The school is reached by a public road and two footpaths. Despite recent improvements, the school car park is very congested at opening and especially closing times. Parents are encouraged to walk to school with their children and, if this is not possible, to follow the routes marked in the car park and only park in designated areas.

Text Box: Head Teacher is Mr Derek Mackenzie. He is happy to meet with you at any time to show you around or answer any questions you may have about the school.

The school secretaries are Mrs Linda Gillanders and Mrs Hilary Docherty, who will in all likelihood be your first points of contact if you contact the school by telephone.

Our janitor is Mr Andrew Dubanowski, who can usually be found in the playground in the morning and at home time.

The Staff in Dingwall Primary

We all want to do the best we can for all the children in our care. Staff plan and coordinate their work to ensure all pupils achieve their full potential.

Teachers are supported in the classroom by a team of support staff, including classroom assistants, learning support auxiliaries, nursery assistants and nursery auxiliaries. In addition to these our secretaries, janitor and other support staff ensure the school runs smoothly.

The janitor and our support staff also provide supervision in the two playground areas.

We are fortunate in being able to draw on the services of a range of other professionals to help support the pupils in the school. During your child’s time in Dingwall Primary you will almost certainly have contact with some of our support professionals.

All the professionals listed below are in the school regularly and may be contacted via the Head Teacher.

To provide each child with a stimulating and encouraging learning environment, so he/she can realise his/her full potential both academically and socially, thus raising his/her attainment in all areas of the curriculum.
To follow the advice in the 5-14 Guidelines, Council Initiatives and school based developments to provide a balanced curriculum using a variety of teaching methods to enhance individual aptitudes resulting in effective learning for all.
To create an ethos of achievement and celebrate success through fostering good relationships between pupils, parents and staff and encouraging a sense of identity, fairness, pride and good morale in the school.
To promote a close partnership between home, school, external agencies such as health and social work and the wider community, with a view to emphasising positive attitudes towards work, behaviour and social interaction.
To provide a tolerant environment through encouraging attitudes and teaching methods which take account of cultural and social backgrounds giving equal opportunities to all.
To provide opportunities for Staff Development to meet the needs of the school and individual staff members, through highlighting areas of priority in the School Development Plan and in Staff Development and Review interviews.

Ways to contact Dingwall Primary School

In constructing the school’s curriculum, every endeavour is made to follow the 5-14 Guidelines published by the Scottish Office and the guidance passed out to all schools by the Highland Council.

These guidelines are then interpreted by groups of staff within the school into programmes of work for each of our stages.

Targets for attainment by all pupils are set and we expect most of our pupils to attain these targets at the appropriate time.

The acquisition of Language and Maths skills is seen as essential for all pupils and especially in the early stages, great emphasis is put on reading, writing and arithmetic. Extra support is put into early stages classes to make sure children have the best possible start in school.

All areas of the school are well resourced to support the teaching and learning process. Our resources are reviewed and updated regularly so pupils are given as much assistance as possible to reach their full potential.

Thanks to the Friends of Dingwall Primary there are many resources available which we would be unable to provide from our own budget. There are infant and upper school libraries with smaller reference and fiction libraries in each classroom.

The school curriculum is based on the core elements of mathematics, language arts and environmental studies, including science and technology.It also embraces a variety of expressive and recreational activities as well as religious, personal and social education.

Gaelic Medium Education

Pupils attending our Gaelic Medium classes follow the same basic curriculum as their mainstream counterparts. All communication within the Gaelic Medium classes is in Gaelic, although once Gaelic reading and writing is established, the children then go on to learn to read and write in English.

Our Gaelic Medium classes have grown considerably and now account for more than 10% of the school population.

A Gaelic Nursery class also operates each afternoon, giving all parents a wide choice as to the form of education they decide on for their children.

Parents wishing more information about Gaelic Medium education should contact the school or the Gaelic Adviser Dr D.J. Macleod.

Assessment

Teachers are constantly monitoring the children’s progress as they work in their classes. From time to time more formal testing is carried out to give confirmation that a child has achieved a specific level. National Assessment results are communicated to parents in the pupil’s final report in May/June each year. A note explaining the levels is also contained in the report.

In addition to National Assessments, your children may also be given several standardised tests during the time they are in Primary School. These compare performance against a national bank of data and allows the school to monitor individual progress. Some children may also be tested by the Learning Support Staff to identify the most suitable teaching approach to take. Parents will be informed of any long-term involvement with learning support.

Reporting to Parents

In order for you to help your child with his/her school work, it is essential that you receive information from the school regarding your child’s progress.

Reports are issued to parents in November and again in late May or early June, so you have a formal record of how your child is progressing. Following each report parents have the opportunity to come into school to discuss their child’s progress with the teacher. All pupils also have a Home/School diary, which shows homework and other information, which may be of use to parents.

Mrs Eleanor MacLeod is our Depute Head teacher and Home Link teacher and arranges workshops for parents on a variety of curricular matters. All Nursery and P1-3 pupils weekly receive Home/School Packs, which are designed to let pupils and parents work together to improve literacy and numeracy. We have a very good response to all our home/school activities and encourage parents to contact the school should they have any concerns about any aspect of school life.

Involving Parents in the School

All parents want the best for their children. We encourage as much parent participation in school life as possible.

We have a bank of parent helpers who keep our Libraries tidy, help with sports strips, work with classes in topic work, accompany classes on trips and help with a variety of extra-curricular activities.

The school also has regular induction and information session for parents of new entrants and is producing Parent Information Guides on a range of school issues.

Dingwall Primary has a very active Friends of Dingwall Primary Committee, which is very supportive of the school and is always looking for extra helpers. The Friends of Dingwall Primary Committee runs fund raising and social events throughout the year with the monies raised all going towards improving the resources available for all pupils.

Our new Parent Council also supports the school in many ways. They have arranged seminars on many different issues and have lobbied very hard with the Council and Education Department to ensure that Dingwall Primary is treated fairly at all times.

Religious and Moral Education

Dingwall Primary School is non-denominational. In its religious observances, the school aims to engender humanity, compassion and caring attitudes in our pupils towards themselves and others. Morning assemblies for P4-7 and for P1-3 are held once a week. Members of the clergy from the principal branches of the Christian Church are invited to take assembly and individual class groups also take turns to make a presentation of a theme to their fellow pupils on a regular basis.

The school follows the curricular guidelines laid out in the 5-14 Religious and Moral Education document. Although the main emphasis is on Christianity, pupils also study other world religions and broader issues of faith.

Our assemblies also act as a focus for our positive behaviour system, with good work and behaviour being rewarded by badges and certificates being presented regularly.

Every day at all stages in the school children are encouraged to develop a sense of self and social responsibility. All pupils are encouraged to care for the school and wider community. The school supports several local charities and each year the school holds special events to support a nominated charity.

A pupil council is in operation and this, along with the use of circle time in all classes, allows the pupils to voice their opinions and have input into the running of the school.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child/children from religious education if they so wish. Please inform the Head Teacher in writing if you wish to follow this course of action.

Homework

All pupils in Dingwall Primary will be given Homework each week.The homework is noted in the child’s homework diary, which should always be in the child’s schoolbag.Homework will usually back up and revise work already carried out in school. It may consist of reading, spelling, written language, some maths revision or topic work and should not usually take more than 30 minutes for any pupil to complete.Please remember that children often work best in a quiet, calm atmosphere away from any distraction like television.

Discipline and Behaviour

We expect all pupils in Dingwall Primary School to behave in a responsible and courteous manner. We acknowledge that some children are still developing the necessary skills to enable them to behave in a positive way and for these pupils we have mechanisms in place to support them as they acquire these skills.
All staff work together in a consistent and positive way to encourage good behaviour and ensure that any child who does step out of line is dealt with fairly. All classes use Circle Time as part of our Personal and Social Development programme. Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions and discuss ways in which their behaviour can be improved.
We encourage positive behaviour through incentive schemes in the classroom, Quality Time and a House Points System, with rewards for good work and behaviour given out at assembly.If a child has behaviour problems we will try to keep the parents informed of our concerns and work together to improve the behaviour through a planned programme.

Development of Social and Cultural Values

Children are encouraged from an early age to be aware of their place and responsibility within society. Through the work of the class they will look at local and Scottish issues and examine Scotland’s place in the wider world.

We want the children to learn to appreciate their immediate environment and the uniqueness of our Highland and Scottish culture. However, we fully recognise that Scotland has always been an outward looking country and our history has been interlinked with many other countries and cultures. We recognise the strengths and worth of other countries and heritages and ensure that the pupils appreciate this too.

It is a priority for us to accept everyone’s individual worth regardless of race or creed and to promote equal opportunity for all in Dingwall Primary School.

Any incident, which could be regarded as racist, will be fully investigated by the school immediately it is reported.

Bullying

We define Bullying as any deliberate action, which is intended to hurt, frighten or threaten anyone else.

Incidents of bullying are all thoroughly investigated and parents are encouraged to report any bullying or suspected bullying to the school as soon as possible.

At all stages in the school anti-bullying strategies and discussion take place in the class.

P7 helpers in the infant areas are clearly identified and are always available to help the younger pupils.

Parents of pupils who are involved in any bullying type of behaviour will be kept fully informed as to how the incident is being dealt with.

The school is proud of its smart uniform and pupils are expected to wear most, if not all of the main items. All items are available from a range of local shops or can be ordered directly from the school.
Following a lead from the Parent Council, and having gauged parent opinion, uniform is now a standard requirement for all pupils. Those pupils consistently not wearing uniform will have letters sent to their parents asking why they are not following the school’s dress code.

Football shirts and shorts may be worn for PE lessons but should not be worn at other times in school.

School Meals

Pupils may choose from a Main Meal menu or from a range of items at a Snack Bar in the canteen.
A “Smart Card” system is in operation, in which credit is saved on a card and used up as meals are taken. Pupils receiving free school meals have the value of a meal automatically credited to their cards.
The card system means pupils do not always have to be carrying money to school, although the canteen will still accept cash.
The cost of a main school meal is around £1.55, with a reasonable snack meal available for around £1.
Menus for the year are sent home with all pupils.
All meals are cooked on the premises and give pupils a wide choice. There are two sittings for lunch, with P1-3 eating separately from P4-7.
An area in the canteen is set aside for those pupils wishing to take their own packed lunch to school. P4-7 pupils are allowed to eat their packed lunches outside, at the picnic tables, when the weather is suitable.

The School Day

It is very important that pupils get to school in time each day. Lateness can often cause pupils to miss important lessons and instructions, which almost always take place as soon as the children come into the classroom. Please try to ensure that your child is at school in time.

Any changes to school times due to early finishing or school trips will be notified directly to parents.

For your child to gain the maximum benefit from school he/she needs to attend each day of the school year if at all possible.
Any absences from school, however short, have a detrimental effect on a child’s learning. Lost teaching time cannot be made up, however willing parents are to help complete work at home.
Parents should inform the Head Teacher in advance of any planned absence. This can normally be done through a short note to the class teacher.
The school should be informed of any unplanned absence by 1015am on the first day of the absence. The school will try to contact all parents of pupils whose absence has not been notified.

All classes are required, by law, to keep a register of pupils’ attendance. Any unexplained absences are classed as unauthorised and recorded as such.

Holidays

Holidays should be taken within the designated holiday periods if at all possible.
The school should be informed of any planned term time holidays, but the Head Teacher can no longer authorise these absences.
All term time holiday absences will be marked as unauthorised.
The school will not provide work to be carried out during holiday periods.

Term Dates 2008/2009

Autumn Term Tuesday 19 August 2008 Friday 3 October 2008

In-service Training Days - 18 August 2008, 2days November 2008, 12 February 2009 and 14 April 2009

Each October the school issues all parents with details of what to do if weather conditions are such that there may be doubt as to whether the school will be open.

Due to the fact that very few pupils come to school by bus or taxi, it is only on very rare occasions that we have to consider closing the school because of the weather.

The final decision as to whether a pupil should travel to school in adverse weather conditions lies with the parents. The local radio stations broadcast details of weather, traffic and road conditions and will also give details of any school closures. Parents are therefore requested to “tune in” to one of the Local stations to be aware of ongoing road and school information updates.

The Council has installed a schools information line so that parents can enquire about school closures in times of adverse weather. Dial 0870 054 6999 followed by Dingwall Primary PIN Number 04 1870. This will allow you access to closure information and other non-urgent school information. This year the council have also opened a web site www.winter.highlandschools.org.uk ,which gives immediate information about which schools in the Highland Area are open or closed on any particular day.

Local Radio Station Details

During extreme weather conditions Radio Highland will interrupt Radio Scotland transmissions to carry emergency bulletins.

Moray Firth Radio

Normal hourly bulletins will carry local information on weather, roads and conditions affecting schools.
In severe conditions normal programmes will be interrupted to carry emergency bulletins.

Emergency Contact Information

We ask all parents to complete an emergency contact form at the start of each school year. This gives us home details and details of a person to get in touch with if you are not available. This information is treated as confidential and will not be divulged outside the school.

If a child is unwell or has been involved in an accident we try to contact parents or emergency contact as soon as possible. It is therefore very important that all emergency contact forms are returned to school speedily. Please ensure that the school is informed of any change of address, telephone number etc.

Health and Safety

The school nurse visits the school on Mondays and Fridays and examines pupils at set times in their school life. Parents will be informed and given the opportunity to be present at these examinations.
Should a child feel unwell in school it is policy to contact parents and ask for the child to be taken home as soon as possible.
Children on medication should not take medicines to school without the prior knowledge and permission of the Head Teacher. If children are on a long course of treatment arrangements can be made for the medicine to be administered by one of our auxiliary staff. Children suffering from asthma should always have their inhalers with them. This should also be noted on their emergency contact form.

From time to time incidents can occur within the school setting, which cause concern and could indicate that a pupil is suffering some form of abuse.

In terms of Highland Child Protection Committee Inter-agency Guidelines, Education Service staff must report such incidents to Social Work Services, which can lead to a joint Social Work/Police investigation.

All agencies involved in Child Protection are obliged to make the welfare of children their paramount consideration and this will be the priority of the Education Service staff.

More information about Child Protection Procedures within Highland can be obtained from the Child Protection Committee, Kinmylies Building, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NN – Telephone (01463) 703483

All clothes and possessions should be marked clearly with your child’s name or initials. Our found property store is full of unmarked clothing, which we have been unable to return to the rightful owner.

Children are not encouraged to take toys or books of their own to school, as this can lead to disagreements in the playground. If a child takes something of value to school he/she should leave the item with his/her teacher.

Pupils are all asked to bring indoor shoes for use inside the school. We ask all pupils to change into these shoes when they enter the school, to try to keep carpets and pupils free from mud! Please mark these shoes with your child’s name also.

We expect all pupils to be very careful with all school property. Should a school book go missing or be destroyed then parents are expected to recompense the school for its replacement.

Extra Curricular Activities

We are fortunate to have a range of extra-curricular activities for pupils run by staff, parents and friends of the school. These run at different times of the year and are for different age groups.

They include Shinty, Hockey, Football, Badminton, Basketball, Rugby, Cross-country, Athletics, Orienteering, Choir, Country Dancing, Drama and Wildlife Club. We also have a weekly activities afternoon, held during school time, which runs for six weeks in the summer term. Pupils from P4-7 are given the opportunity to take part in an activity of their choice ranging from board games to line dancing.

P6 and P7 have the opportunity to go on a ski trip in February/March, with P7s also able to go on an outdoor activity week in May/June.

Dingwall Primary School Nursery

Our Nursery operates in one of the demountable units located in the school playground. This gives excellent accommodation for our classes, including a safe and attractive play area.

The Nursery operates in two sessions, morning and afternoon, with children attending five sessions a week either morning or afternoon.

The Nursery Staff have made the Nursery very attractive for parents and pupils. Parents wishing more information about the Nursery should contact the Head Teacher.

Deaf Education Service

Dingwall Primary School is the centre for Deaf Education for pupils within travelling distance of Dingwall.
All deaf pupils attending the school are integrated into mainstream classes, but spend some time in our Deaf Education base for activities such as learning sign language and speech therapy.
We use a total communication approach, which means a combination of signing and speech is used to communicate.
The deaf pupils in the school are supported in the mainstream classes by teachers and learning support auxiliaries. This combination of in-class support and small group or individual tuition works very successfully.

We hope that you and your child will enjoy his/her time in Dingwall Primary School and we welcome comments and suggestions, which may help us improve how we work with and support the children in our care.

However, we are aware that difficulties can occur from time to time and if you feel you have reason to complain, the please follow the procedure outlined below.

You may contact the school either by letter or telephone outlining your concern. If you prefer, you can come along to the school to speak to the Head Teacher. Usually the Head Teacher will try to make himself available to speak to a parent immediately, but if this is not possible, an appointment can be made to discuss the matter. Your concern will be investigated and the Head Teacher will get back to you as soon as possible.

From here, if necessary, the matter will be brought to the attention of the Area Education Manager, who will decide what the next steps should be. Parents will be kept informed at each stage and will be invited to attend any meetings being held.

Should you feel unable to speak to the Head Teacher you are entitled to contact the Area Education Manager at the Area Education Office, Castle Street, Dingwall. Telephone Number 01349 863441.

· Children who will be five before the end of February 2009 may enrol in school for the academic year 2008/2009

· To register your child, simply come into the school and complete an admission form. He/she will then be registered into our school and arrangements will be made for him/her to be placed in a P1 class in August

· Parents and New Entrants are invited into school in the summer term to meet the Head Teacher, the Depute Head Teacher for Infant stages and their new Class Teacher.

· Parents will have the opportunity to have any concerns or questions addressed by the Head Teacher.

· Children are placed into P1 classes taking account of age, social grouping and information from the Nursery.

· You will be given details of which class your child will be in and the teacher’s name during the summer term.

· There is a staggered intake to P1. Only a few children will start on the first day, a few more on day 2 and so on until the whole class is in school by the end of the first week.

· For the first four weeks children only stay in school for a half-day – 9am until 12.15pm – and do not stay for a school lunch. After this short settling-in period, the P1 pupils follow the same timetable as the other children in the Infant Department.

· Children will slowly be introduced to the working of the school. They will initially sit with their friends, as they are assessed by the teacher for future groupings.

· Children quickly get to know the layout of the school and the school routine.

Please do not

Contact with the school

We hope you and your child have a happy and productive association with Dingwall Primary School.

The following is a statistical breakdown of the attendance figures for Dingwall Primary School and for the rest of Highland.

Percentage Authorised Absences

Average Number of half days absence per pupil

Comparative Spending Costs

As part of the Parents’ Charter we are required to provide you with information regarding the comparative budgeted costs for the school.

National Test Results and Targets

Percentage of pupils reaching or exceeding their 5-14 Test Targets as at June 2007

School Brochure 2008/9