Byfleet Primary School

EXTENDED SCHOOLS

Extended Services in and around schools - what is it?

It is a key way of delivering the Every Child Matters outcomes, an extended school works with the local authority, local providers and other schools to provide access to a core offer of integrated services:

a varied range of activities including study support, sport and music clubs, combined with childcare in primary schools; parenting and family support;

swift and easy access to targeted and specialist services;

community access to facilities including adult and family learning, ICT and sports grounds.

These will often be provided beyond the school day but not necessarily by teachers or on the school site.

What are the benefits?

There is evidence that extended services can help to:

improve pupil attainment, self-confidence, motivation and attendance;

reduce exclusion rates;

better enable teachers to focus on teaching and learning;

enhance children's and families access to services

How is this being delivered in Woking?

In Woking, as in other parts of Surrey, schools are coming together to work to deliver the above. In Woking the umbrella organisations is the Woking Schools Confederation.

The facilities available here at Byfleet Primary School are detailed below and the Confederation site (www.wokingschoolsconfederation.co.uk) highlights all the other services available in the Borough.

What's available at Byfleet Primary School?

Home and School - We are keen to promote strong links between home and school. If teachers and parents work together in close co-operation much can be achieved to benefit the children. On entry to school parents will be required to sign a Home - School Agreement that outlines the partnership. Termly evening meetings are arranged for parents and teachers to meet and discuss children’s progress. In the Autumn Term, parents and teachers meet for a ‘meet the teacher’ session. In the Spring Term parents will meet to look at children’s work and set targets with the teacher. In the Summer Term parents receive the child’s Record of Achievement and are given the opportunity to come into school to discuss this with the teacher. Byfleet Primary School has an open door policy. Parents are welcome to come into school at any time to discuss their concerns.

Parent Helpers - We warmly welcome the help of parents in school. Under the supervision of members of staff, parents work in the library, hear reading, take a small group for cooking, help with art, sewing, accompanying visits and providing transport to matches. We sometimes have weekend work parties to carry out various tasks around the school. All parents are invited to join us once a term on Environmental Days where we work on the school gardens. We don’t just welcome parents but grandparents, aunts, uncles and even elderly neighbours are welcome.

Specialist Services - we make full use of all the specialist support services available to the school, swiftly referring issues as soon as the need arises.

NVQ Provider - Childcare NVQ courses are run at the school.

Breakfast Club - Our Breakfast Club is open from 7.45 a.m. - 8.45 a.m. during term.

Out of School Care - We have a well-established After-School Club for pupils of the school. This takes place each afternoon from 3 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. We offer stimulating play for children and peace of mind for parents who can safely leave their children in experienced play leaders’ care.

Friends of the School - We have an excellent Friends Association. Parents automatically become members. The Committee, comprising both parents and teachers, meet regularly to plan fund raising and social events. In the past year the Friends have organised many events including Race Night, Fun-Day, Children’s Discos, Raffles and a Balloon Race. They have made contributions to the purchase of many large pieces of equipment.

Community - We are very keen to foster a caring attitude in our children. Our community links are identified by OFSTED as excellent, being a strength of the school and making a positive contribution to the pupils academic and social development. We visit the local village, thereby enhancing our relationship with local businesses. We invite grandparents to join us for their special assembly. The choir has also been to St. Mary’s Day Centre and we have taken part in Christmas events singing at Brooklands shopping centre and Byfleet Village Green. A collection is always made at our Christmas Assemblies, the proceeds have been given to many different charities. We also hold Mufti-days in aid of charities.

Everyday Swim - During the Summer, the swimming pool is open up to three times a week for free use by the community.

Holiday Play Schemes - Woking Borough Council run a summer play scheme at the school.

Fun Fit - This is held every Saturday morning from 10 to 12 in the school hall.

Byfleet Boys Football - This junior club uses the school's football pitches for its home matches on Saturdays and Sundays.

Brownies & Guides - The First Old Byfleet Guides and the Second Old Byfleet Brownies us the school on Thursdays and Mondays respectively.

Slimming World - Held at the school on Wednesday evenings.

Dance Classes - The Holly Putt School of Dance use the school for two sessions between 5.30 and 6.30 and 6.30 and 7.30 on Fridays.