- April 2024 Newsletter 15th April 2024
- March 2024 Newsletter 11th March 2024
- February 2024 Newsletter 8th February 2024
Absence
If you are informed by a parent, as to why a pupil is absent, please pass on to the class teacher or inform the office as quickly as possible.
If a child leaves the site during the school day for any reason please mark the pupil absent on the Fire register which will be allocated near the classroom exit. This is necessary should an evacuation take place during the day (further information in Registration and Evacuation Procedures).
If you are feeling unwell and are unable to attend, please ensure you contact the school before 8am. Following Local Authority policy, you are also expected to speak to the Admin Team to undertake a first day sick discussion.
Please see the LPS Attendance Policy for further details.
Admissions for Prospective New Children
All admission enquiries must be directed towards the Admin Team in the office.
Please see our Admissions Page for further details and our LPS Admissions Policy.
Accident Forms (HS2)
Any accidents should be reported to the pupil’s class teacher. Any event which requires some form of first aid treatment should be recorded in an Accident Form. The form should be completed by the person who witnessed the accident or who had the accident reported to them, in conjunction with the first aider involved. Please seek support should any issue arise. This should be handed to the Admin Team and then passed onto SLT for signing. Completed forms come under Data Protection and must be kept private in the School Office.
Please see the LPS First Aid Policy and Health and Safety Policy for further details.
Allergies
See Health and Wellbeing Section below.
Assembly
Please see the appropriate timetable for assembly times displayed in the staff room. During the Friday Awards assembly, a child from each class is chosen as Seren yr Wythnos (Star of the Week) because of their hard work or good behaviour. You may be asked to choose who you would like as Seren Yr Wythnos that particular week. Please be prepared to say a few words as to why you have chosen that pupil. A pupil is also chosen as the Seren Cymraeg (Welsh star of the week) during the Wednesday Assembly. This is a pupil who has tried hard and participated well in Drillio sessions as well as used incidental Welsh in the classroom.
Behaviour
Please refer to the LPS Behaviour Policy for in depth information on this important topic. Behaviour is excellent in our school but if children display poor behaviour, please do not tolerate it. Ask for help before the problem escalates. You will always be supported.
All behaviour matters should be dealt with by the end of the school day (or Nursery session) and parents informed where necessary. This should not be passed on to Wraparound staff.
Some basic points:
Break times
All children should go to the yard (according to the Playground Timetable) during break times. Please ensure you arrive promptly to the yard and ensure you take a radio with you to allow communication between duty staff and the Admin Team.
At the end of play, a bell sounds and children lineup in their classes sensibly on their yard. When children are lined up quietly, the Helpwr Y Dydd will call out “Barod?” the class will then respond with “Barod” and follow the members of staff on duty quietly and calmly into school.
Children who misbehave in the yard will be asked to stand next to the teacher on duty. This will then be passed on to their class teacher.
During wet break times, children remain in their classrooms and will be supervised by all members of staff that are on duty. Please refer to the current timetable for break time duties, as displayed in the staffroom.
Bullying
The school has an anti-bullying policy which is available to all employees and parents on request. You must take all instances of bullying seriously, listening to all points of view, without confrontation. Please inform SLT of any concerns.
Cars
Please be respectful of our neighbours by parking responsibly. Please do not park in front of driveways or over road markings.
Child Protection
Please refer to our Child Protection Policy for further information. Our Child Protection Officer is Mr. Burnell and all child protection issues should be passed to him only, immediately. In the absence of Mr. Burnell, such issues should be passed on to Mrs. Bate. If neither are available please inform Mr. Williams. Such issues should not be discussed with other members of staff.
Never promise to keep a secret but reassure the child they have done the right thing. Do not ask leading questions and remain calm and collected. You will need to write up the disclosure immediately, on My Concern, using the exact language used by the child where possible. If a visiting member of staff receives a disclosure they are to report immediately to the Child Protection Officer.
Concerts
LPS holds concerts for a number of occasions, especially at Christmas time. It is important that all staff and visiting staff work collaboratively on school concerts due to the heavy workload and logistics involved. Usually, our regular timetables are altered for the rehearsal periods and during the days of performance. Altered timetables will always be available on the LPS Drive, with further information provided during staff meetings. If you are unable to attend a specific meeting, Staff Meeting Minutes are always available on the LPS Drive.
For evening concerts all class teachers use registers to hand over pupils to parents in a safe and orderly fashion.
Parents will want to take photographs and videos of their children performing, this is acceptable, however they are asked not to post these images on any social media platforms for safeguarding purposes.
The children, parents and wider community of LPS thoroughly enjoy these occasions of which we are immensely proud of. This is down to the exceptional and passionate hard work of all our staff, without who, these fabulous events would not be possible.
Confidentiality
It is important that you remain confidential about any information you see or hear within your role at LPS. Be aware that any personal data comes under the Data Protection Act and should therefore be treated appropriately i.e. not easily accessible.
For this reason, you must ensure that anything which contains names or addresses of individuals must be shredded and not merely thrown in the recycle bin.
Please read the LPS Data Protection and GDPR Policy for further information.
Consent
General Consent is sought at the beginning of each phase (on entry and at Year 2) for a number of different activities as part of our data collection and updating exercise:
ICT Acceptable Use Policy Agreement
Home School Agreement
Use of the Hwb Platform
Use of Digital/Video Images
Use of APPs and Programs used in school
Local Area Visits
Information collated from this data is then held on SIMS database for each class. Records are also stored in class teacher folders.
Additional consent is sought for food tasting and applying sun cream (FP Only) and is held in the classroom.
Consent forms are needed to take children out of the school, and you will need to undertake a risk assessment of any external activity (completed on-line through Evolve). Minimum notice for any consent required is 2 weeks. Please refer to the Trips section below for further details.
CPD and Staff Training
LPS encourages all staff to develop their professional knowledge and skills. We offer many training and support opportunities for all staff to develop their career and maximise the impact of their role. All booked training dates are entered into the school diary.
It is the responsibility of staff to observe the school diary daily and organise cover of yard duties. Please inform SLT if class cover is needed in order to aid and maintain the smooth running of LPS.
After any training undertaken, staff are required to complete the CPD Forms questionnaire housed on the LPS Drive. This helps staff, SLT and the whole school gauge the quality of the training and evaluate its impact on pupil standards and wellbeing.
Daily Timetable
8:40am - Staff Presence on Yard
8:45am - School Starts
8:50am - Door is closed
9:00am - Registration Completed
9:00 - 9:20am - Daily Focus Session (PLJ, Handwriting, Drillo, Mental Maths/reasoning, Spelling)
9:20am to 10:15am - Session 1
10:15 - Assembly
10:30 - Break time
10:45am to 12:00pm - Session 2
12pm to 1:00pm - Lunch Time
1:10pm - Registration Completed
1:10pm to 1:30pm - Reading Session
1:30pm to 2:40pm - Session 3
2:40pm to 2:55pm – End of Day Plenary (Reflection, Class Novel, Homework, etc)
2:55pm - LPS Dojo Reflection
3pm - End of School Day
Disability and Equal Opportunities
Please refer the LPS Equal Opportunities policy for further information in this area. No one is to be discriminated against by gender, disability, sexual orientation, race or age and any incidents of discrimination should be reported. This also applies to pupils – LA racial harassment forms are available for reporting incidents of racism between pupils. Please inform the Head teacher should you be made aware of any such incidents.
Please see our Strategic Equalities Plan (SEP).
Drillio
Drillio takes place throughout the school for 10 minutes. It is an opportunity to focus on Welsh vocabulary and sentence patterns.
Evacuation Procedures
Please familiarise yourself with the fire exits for every room in which you work. There will be a notice on the wall of each room, indicating the appropriate exit, escape route and assembly point as well as a laminated fire register. Should you hear the fire alarm, you and any children in your care must vacate the building, taking the fire register with you.
All classes assemble in the top yard where pupils will line up in their designated spots. Class fire registers will then be checked, if all children are present then teachers are to signal this by holding up the green side of the fire register. If children are missing, then the red side of the fire register should be held up. If you leave the site for any reason during the school day, please ensure you sign out so that we know you are off site in the event of an evacuation.
Please note that the fire register must accompany classes at all times (Outdoor Learning, PE sessions, etc). Additionally, these registers are stored in the main hall during assembly and lunch times.
Please see Safeguarding Area on our website.
First Aid
Please refer to the LPS Health and Safety Policy and the LPS First Aid Policy for more information regarding First Aid. First Aid resources are held outside Mr. Burnell’s office.
Should an accident occur contact the main office for direction. A number of other staff have emergency first aid training and can help to assess whether a parent needs to be contacted. Any mark, swelling or bump to the head should always be reported home by the office staff. Any first aid treatment carried out will require an accident form (HS2 Form) to be completed by the person who witnessed the accident or if not a witness, then by the person the accident was reported to, in conjunction with the first aider.
Incidents and Illness
Please let the SLT know about any incidents or observations which give you cause for concern regarding child welfare or health and safety as soon as possible. If a child is taken ill during the day please inform the office so that a parent or guardian can be contacted to collect their child.
Health & Safety
Health & Safety encompasses many aspects of our day-to-day work and responsibility should be taken not only for pupils but employees and people who visit the school. Please refer to our Health and Safety Policy for more detailed information. If you have any issues relating to Health and Safety please inform our Health and Safety Officer who is Mr. Burnell.
Health and Wellbeing Folder
Every classroom holds a Health and Wellbeing folder which holds vital information regarding Healthcare plans, ALN requirements, Allergies and Medication. It is essential that every class teacher, visiting teacher and Teaching Assistant familiarises themselves with the content of these folders for the safety and wellbeing of all children.
Home Time – 3pm
Pupils in Years 1-6 leave the building through the exits located off the main hall. Parents will be waiting for pupils in the top yard. All pupils should be lined up in the main hall and stay within the building. They should only leave once they have identified the adult collecting them to you. In Years 5 and 6 some pupils walk home. Once the pupils have left and have been handed over to parents, they are not to re-enter through these doors. If pupils or parents need to re-enter, they are to go to the main office.
For visiting staff, always check with the teaching assistant allocated to that class or member of staff who knows the child’s end of day routine before dismissing them. If you are in any doubt speak to the SLT before allowing the child to leave the building on their own. In the Foundation Phase, you should ensure each child does not leave the building until a parent or guardian has arrived. Parents should inform you if someone else will be collecting their child. Reception children are dismissed directly from their classroom into the infant yard.
Homework
Online homework is set every Friday. Please see the LPS Homework Policy for further information.
ICT Equipment & Internet Access
Mobile Trolleys are located in each classroom. All pupils should not be left unsupervised while using the internet – even for a short amount of time. Although there are restrictions in place, should children come across anything ‘inappropriate’ through the Internet, the quickest way to resolve this is to simply close the screen. Let the SLT know of any such incidents immediately.
If you use the internet outside school, and in particular social networking sites, please be mindful of any information you post. You should not provide or post any information which may disclose details of pupils, other staff members or the school itself.
As per the LPS Appropriate Use of ICT Policy, you are not permitted to accept pupils as friends on social networking sites, under any circumstances.
Marking
Please mark all written work in line with the school policy, unless you have been requested not to – Teachers to use a red pen, TA’s and supply Teachers to use a green pen. As a staff we have agreed that:
A supportive summative statement will be followed by a formative statement. The formative statement will be identified by two stars and a wish. Each target (wish) should be SMART- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-related. Best practice will be evident when the target is identified as a result of collaboration between pupil and teacher during the marking process.
Opportunities for two stars and a wish are maximised to support pupils’ self-evaluation and reflection skills. This will be carried out orally in the early years and developed to written form towards the end of Foundation Phase, ensuring that this reflective practice is established by KS2.
Within KS2, a space will be left after the formative statement, where pupils will be encouraged to respond in writing. This ‘dialogue’ will be promoted when teachers frame their comment as a question.
Dojo points, as a reward system for targets which have been achieved will further encourage children to focus on improving their learning.
Opportunities for pupils with additional learning needs to respond orally to formative comments will be provided and indicated with a (C) for ‘Conversation’.
Key spelling errors will be indicated with a (Sp) above or beside the word and the correct spelling written at the bottom of the page so that pupils may write out the word correctly.
In order to maintain focus during the lesson, the learning objective (LO) of the lesson should be written on the board and referred to during the lesson and in the marking, where appropriate.
In Foundation Phase:
Nursery and Reception – Oral Learning Objective
Year 1 and 2 – On the Board where possible
Success Criteria
There needs to be identification of independent learning – therefore, (I) will be used to highlight independence. If a pupil has required help to complete a task then (S) will be used to indicate Support.
Please see the Marking Policy for further information.
Meet the Staff
Please click on this link to view the LPS Staffing and Roles: Meet the Staff
Medication
Before medication can be administered, a signed medication form should be obtained from the parent or guardian, providing details such as name of medicine, dosage and duration. When medication is administered it must be witnessed and recorded on the back of the form. No medication should be administered without a completed medication request form. Only medicines prescribed by a doctor can be administered.
Please see the LPS Medication Policy for further details.
Money
Any monies brought into school by pupils should be put in post box which is located outside the school office. Staff should not handle cash and ask parents to take it to the office.
Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs)
As school-based Mentor, Mrs Bate, will support NQTs and Staff through the NQT’s first year of teaching. Communication is key between all staff in order to ensure the best learning outcomes for all.
The NQT will be expected to complete an Induction Profile and collate relevant evidence for each standard. The NQT will be asked to keep this updated and may need to collate evidence that involves other teaching staff. NQTs may also ask teaching staff to shadow them, observe lessons or team teach during their PPA to gain further expertise or research in a specific area.
PE
All PE sessions are timetabled, which is accessible via the LPS Drive. When taking a class for PE, you are advised to bring your own kit for such lessons and ensure the class have appropriate kit for the activity. Children should remove all jewellery before participating, where appropriate.
Pupils who have forgotten to bring their kit are to be included in the lesson for alternative roles (Peer Assessing, Video Recording, Note Taking, etc).
For outdoor PE please ensure you take a radio with you to allow communication with the Admin Team.
Photocopying
There is a photocopier in the staff room. The copier requires a passcode each time it is used - if you have not been issued with a passcode please speak to a member of the Admin team.
Please inform someone in the office if the copier happens to jam whilst you are using it and you cannot fix the problem. Be very careful when photocopying sensitive documents containing personal information; if you photocopy something by mistake or come across anything of this nature please hand to the appropriate person or into the school office.
Paper for photocopying is located in each classroom.
Photographs
Consent should be given before photographs or video can be used for various purposes. This information is stored in Class Teacher Record Files and can also be accessed via the main office.
School trips are not public and photographs of these events would come under data protection. Please ensure parent helpers are aware of this also. Any posting of images of children, other than your own, on social networking sites is strictly forbidden.
Planning
Planning templates are available on the LPS Drive. Please ensure that all planning is updated and uploaded weekly, during your PPA Session.
PTFA
We are very fortunate at LPS to have a PTFA that is, and has been, such an integral part of the school community for many years. In it's time the PTFA has raised thousands of pounds, which have been spent on improving equipment and resources to enhance our children’s education and the facilities throughout the school.
Staff are encouraged to take part in this wonderful organisation, in order to support our school community. There are numerous events that the PTFA hold throughout the academic year and your role in these would be extremely helpful and vital.
PTFA Discos and Movie Nights:
At the end of these events, staff are asked to organise the dismissal of the children, lined up in their classes and using the pre-populated register of children attending the disco.
Wraparound pupils usually attend these events and therefore our Wraparound staff collect these children using their pre-populated registers.
PTFA Fetes:
Class teachers and Pupil Voice Groups are asked to have a stall and help with the running of these events. Consent for these events are required in advance of the event.
PTFA Book Sales, Mothers & Fathers Day Stalls:
Staff are asked to give out letters and reminders from the PTFA for these events. Class teachers pass these donations onto the PTFA and help with setting up of these events.
If you need further clarification on the organisation of these events please contact Lynda Phillips in the main office.
Pupil Voice Groups
Each Area of Learning Leader has formed their own Pupil Voice Group that help steer the direction of the Area of Learning throughout the school. These groups have input to the new policies and practice regarding the New Curriculum for Wales. These groups also undertake monitoring and evaluation actives during the LPS Review Weeks and suggest initiatives for school improvement.
Two representatives from Y2-Y6 form each Pupil Voice Group. Their overriding responsibility is for listening to, sharing and discussing the views of pupils at Llangyfelach Primary School, ensuring all pupils have a voice.
Please see our Pupil Voice Groups Areas on our website.
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments must be completed for any activity that is significantly different to our daily routines. All risk assessments must be completed on-line through Evolve, two weeks prior to the event.
Occasionally, there may be situations when it is not possible to give two weeks notice for events (sporting, choir, cluster events, etc). When this happens, risk assessments should be submitted as soon as possible.
Recycling
At LPS, we encourage sustainability and recycle plastic and paper. Paper recycling bins can be found in each classroom. Please ensure you encourage children to recycle wherever possible and they are fully aware as to what we do in school.
Registration
The register should be taken promptly at the beginning of the morning and afternoon sessions using SIMS. For any new starters or visitors who require access, Mrs. Akerman will assist you with the password.
If a pupil is absent, it is marked with ‘N’ until the parent provides an explanation. Once the register is completed, it is important that you click ‘Save’ which can be found in the top left corner and then close the register. Please ensure registers are completed accurately by 9:30am and 1:15pm. If you have any questions regarding the register please see Mrs. Akerman.
The dinner register should then be taken – login details will be available in the classroom. Please ensure each child is allocated either a meal choice, packed lunch or absent mark before saving the register.
Resources
All classroom resources such as pens, pencils, rubbers, rulers, etc, are distributed to all classrooms at the start of every term. Please look after these as they won't be replenished until the following term.
Centrally stored resources can be found in the large storage area found opposite the Nursery classroom. Please return any resources from where you found them neatly. Stationary and art resources can also be found in the cupboard in the main hall. Laminating pouches and paper will be stored in classrooms. Do not send children into any storage areas to collect or replace resources. Please keep these areas tidy at all times.
Any communal resources which are borrowed should be returned after use as soon as possible.
Rewards
Pupils are able to win Class Dojo Points for their Houses through praise for positive behaviour, demonstrating values linked to the LPS Code, winning competitions in the school Eisteddfod and Sports Day.
Pupils follow the ‘Good to be Green’ reward scheme. Each pupil starts the day with a green card. If the class teacher feels the pupils are acting inappropriately, their green card will be replaced with a yellow card. The pupil is now able to reflect on their behaviour and can work towards regaining their green card. If the pupil’s behaviour continues, they receive a red card. At the end of each day the class complete a class behaviour chart (Class Dojo) with the class teacher. It is a discussion between the class about the learning that has gone on that day. It is also a time to reflect on behaviour.
Please see the LPS Behaviour Policy for further information.
Security
Security is paramount. All LPS staff must wear their Staff Lanyards at all times.
Anyone who enters the school zone during the school day will be required to sign in and out via the InVentry console located in the foyer. Visitors must wear their visitor badge which is printed at sign-in.
Codes to enter the building are confidential and for employed members of staff only. Please do not share them. All visitors should press the buzzer and wait for entry.
All staff and visitors must ensure that external doors or gates are closed behind you and do not let anyone into the school under any circumstances. Please direct them to the main office reception desk.
Children who are late must come in via the main office where they will be signed in via the InVentry console. This sign in process logs the child's name, class, time of arrival and reason for lateness. This information automatically populates the register in SIMS so it is important that parents are reminded to sign their child in.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the school or within the school grounds.
Snack
All children are encouraged to bring in their own healthy snack to eat during morning break.
Specialist Organisation Staff
At LPS we welcome a range of staff with specific expertise to work alongside staff at LPS. Please ensure you discuss with the visiting staff all information relevant to your class ‘ health and well-being (allergies, medical information etc). Visiting staff should not be left alone with the class. This is an opportunity for class teachers to also learn from their expertise and observe and assess their class as they complete the learning activities provided.
Sports Day
The annual LPS sports day is held on the village green (Y Llwyni). Spectators stand behind a temporary fence to observe the events. Toilets and refreshments are provided by the PTFA.
Early Years hold their event in the morning and Years 1 - 6 hold their event in the afternoon. Each class requires three adult to help supervise and score each event, while a member of staff collates the overall score. The winning house is announced at the end of the afternoon session.
Pupils walk to the field, supervised by staff. Consent for this activity isn't required as it is covered under the 'Around the Village' consent that is undertaken on entry to each phase. Each class teacher has a class register which they use to safely dismiss pupils to parents after the event. Any children that are not collected early, or are booked into Wraparound, walk back to school with staff.
Staffroom
Snack, Lunch, tea and coffee facilities are available to all during breaks. Mugs and dishes in the staffroom are all for communal use; please feel free to use them.
Hot drinks are not to be taken out of the staff room during the school day when children are on site.
The staffroom is the responsibility of all staff, including visiting staff. Cleaning supervisors are not required to wash dishes, etc. Please ensure you wash your cups and dishes after use. Please keep surfaces tidy and remember to remove out of date items from the fridge.
This room is also used as a support area during lesson times, therefore staff are to be mindful of this and ensure personal property is stored away at the end of each break.
Students
Planning will follow the proforma and guidelines set out by the training institution. Students and Class Teachers can see Mrs Bate for further details if required. All students are required to ensure that planning is kept up to date and available, following the agreed deadlines with the class teacher, school mentor and external mentor.
Seminars will be given in line with recommendations by your course provider and are usually carried out by your senior mentor.
All teachers are entitled to PPA, however students will not be teaching full time immediately and should use their class mentor's PPA sessions to undertake agreed activities such as Seminars, observing other teachers teaching, listening to learners, research, etc.
Trips
Trips enrich our LPS Learning Projects and should be planned for each term. Organising class trips is the responsibility of the class teacher – in conjunction with the admin team. In order for this to happen;
In any of the above conditions are not met the trip may be cancelled.
On the day of the trip, class teacher must ensure;
Risk assessments for residential visits or trips that take place outside of Swansea must be submitted to the LA for approval. These risk assessments must be submitted at least four weeks before the event.
It is the class teachers responsibility to ensure that both the trip and the risk assessment has been approved by a member of the SLT - a trip cannot take place without this.
Vision and Values
Please click this link: LPS Vision and Values
Website
The LPS website plays an essential role in celebrating our work and also communicating with with our local community and wider. All staff play a vital role in ensuring the website is up-to-date. AoLE Leaders, along with their PVG's are responsible for ensuring their website areas are updated regularly along with all areas of their class pages.
It is the responsibility of each member of staff to ensure that pupils have media consent for their pictures or videos before they upload them to the website. Staff must also ensure that all photos, videos, links to external websites or videos are checked to ensure they are suitable for purpose.
Wraparound
LPS has a very successful Wraparound Childcare facility which is an integral part of the whole school. Children who have been booked into this service will be populated onto a register and supplied to the class teacher to aid smooth transition. These children will be collected by the Wraparound Team at the end of the school day. If there are any minor details which need to be communicated to parents, there is a Wraparound Handover form. However, any information regarding behaviour during the school day should be dealt with before the children go to Wraparound and parents informed by school staff. Wraparound staff are not permitted to handover information to parents on this matter. Behavioural and educational matters should always be discussed between the class leader and the parent directly, either face-to-face or via telephone call.
The Evening Wraparound service is held in the Main Hall from 3pm to 5:30pm. They also use the outdoor areas for their activities.
For further information regarding this service please visit our Wraparound Pages.