How do current families communicate with their child’s teacher?
They can speak to them at drop off in the morning, collection at home time, phone or email the school office to speak to them.
What are the costs associated with extracurricular activities and clubs?
All our lunchtime and extracurricular clubs are free.
What clubs or societies are available for pupils to join?
We have a range of club which change termly. These include sporting and creative clubs for example: football and drawing club. See our club page for more information.
What is the school's approach to ensuring that extracurricular activities and clubs are inclusive and accessible to all pupils?
All children have the option to join a club should they wish.
What is the school's approach to involving current families in their child's education?
We have a clear home school agreement, but we also run open house session for parents to see the learning in actions. Throughout the year we also hold reading sessions and other fun opportunities to share in your child’s learning.
How often are extracurricular activities held?
They happen after school throughout the week, across the whole school year.
What is the process for signing up for extracurricular activities and clubs?
The list is sent home at the beginning of each term for children to make their selections. Club places are offered on a first come, first served basis.
What resources are available for current families to help them support their child's education?
We run parent workshops to support them with relevant approaches to learning.
How can current families get involved in school events and activities?
They can become volunteer and join our ‘Friends of Thornbury’ team. To register an interest please email the school office at admin@thornbury.plymouth.sch.uk
How can current families provide feedback to the school about their child's education?
This can be done via class teachers, school office or our Family Learning Mentor as well as school/Governor questionnaires and the Ofsted Parent View Questionnaire.
How often will current families receive updates on their child's progress?
We hold parent evening in the Autumn and Spring term and a full report in the Summer term. Parents are also welcome to ask their child’s class teacher for an update at any point in the academic year. For children with additional needs, parents will get an update on progress during Team Around Me meetings (TAM) and EHCP reviews.
What is the school's approach to involving current families in decision-making processes?
We have the ‘Friends of Thornbury’ group who support the school with making decisions, but the wider school community are also consulted regarding larger changes e.g. changes to the timings of the school day.
What is the school’s approach to teaching Literacy and Numeracy?
See Curriculum Page of the school website.
What is the school’s approach to promoting pupils’ emotional and social development?
We teach PHSE through the Kapow program. Please see our PHSE curriculum page for more information.
What is the school’s approach to teaching pupils with special educational needs or disabilities?
See the SEND page of the school website.
What is the curriculum for the Early Years Foundation Stage?
See Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum page of the school website
Are there any opportunities for pupils to participate in outdoor education or field trips?
We have extensive school grounds that becomes part of the classroom on a regular basis. We love to take our learning outside. Each year, all children have access to enrichment activities which may take place at school or at an external setting. In Year 5 and 6 the children could particate in a residential trip.
How are pupils assessed and graded during primary education?
EYFS Reception Baseline indicates whether children are working at the expected standard or not when they start school in September. At the end of the Foundation Stage children are assessed against the EYFS profile which indicates if children have met the expected standard or not. Y1-Y6 children are assessed in a variety of ways to identify whether pupils are working below the expected standard, working towards the expected standard (WTS), at the expected standard (EXS) or at a greater depth (GDS).
What resources are available to support pupils with their learning?
We use a range of texts to teach English, manipulatives when teaching maths and any additional resources relevant to the subject e.g. artefact for RE. When needed, we also have a range of resources to support children with their social, emotional and sensory needs.
What is the typical school day for a primary school pupil?
Schools starts at 8:45am and children have morning break from 10:30-10:45am. Children then break again for lunch at 12:15 - 1:15pm then go home at 3:15pm. Children will complete core subject learning (reading, writing and maths) on a daily basis and foundation subject learning spread throughout the week.
What is the school’s approach to teaching pupils with English as a second language?
Our school EAL Curriculum Lead ensure and advise how to support these children, this would be done based on the specific needs of the child. Across the school, we use ‘Widgit’ symbols to support the understanding of new vocabulary and have invested in a dual language version of this programme.
What support is available for pupils who struggle academically?
See the SEND page of the website for all information.
Are there any specialist teachers or teaching assistants?
Every department is supported by a HLTA. Every year group is supported by a highly skilled and nurturing Teaching Assistant. As part of the support for our children in the Language Support Centre, a number of our teaching assistants and HLTA’s our trained in approaches which supports the development and acquisition of language. We also invite specialist teachers in to support the wider curriculum for example: Plymouth Argyle coaches offering clubs and additional training and peripatetic music teachers.
How does the school support pupils who are struggling in a particular subject?
See the SEND page of the website for all information.
What is the school’s approach to providing a broad and balanced curriculum?
See Curriculum Page of the school website.
What is the school’s approach to dealing with bullying?
We have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. We work with the children to understand what bullying is and how to be kind and inclusive to all children regardless of their needs or background.
Are there any opportunities for pupils to particate in creative activities like music?
We teach a fully rounded curriculum, which includes all foundation subjects – Science, ICT, PE, History, Geography, Art, D&T, Music, RE, MFL and PHSE. This is enriched further with specialist visitors for example: Plymouth Argyle coaches offering clubs and additional training and peripatetic music teachers.
How are pupils prepared for the transition to secondary school?
Our Y6 teachers meet with the secondary schools and the children have transition days where they visit their secondary school to get to know their new school and their new teachers.
What should I do if my child is absent from school?
Call the school office to speak to a member of staff.
What is the process for reporting an absence or lateness?
Call the school office to speak to a member of staff.
What is the procedure for taking my child out of school during term time?
Complete an absence request form with as much detail as possible. We are unable to authorise holidays during term time.
What support is available for pupils who have behavioural issues?
Support would be given on an individual basis based on the specific needs of the child. We have a SENDCo and Family Support Advisor who would all work with the child and family to create a package of support.
What is the policy for admitting pupils with special educational needs or disabilities?
This is all managed by Plymouth Admissions.
What forms will I need to fill out if my child is joining?
This is all managed by Plymouth Admissions.
What is the school’s catchment area?
There isn’t a catchment area anymore, children are placed based on distance from school as the crow flies and priority need.
What is the application process for admission to the school?
This is all managed by Plymouth Admissions.
What is the deadline for submitting an application for admission?
EYFS admission deadline is 15th January every year.
How are pupils prepared for the transition to primary School?
We recognise that starting school and moving up classes has the potential to be a stressful time for both parents and children. To this end we have established a strong set of procedures for transitions to be smooth as possible. All children starting in Foundation have home visits prior to their child starting school this gives children the security of meeting with their teacher in a safe, familiar environment and gives parents time to ask questions and share knowledge or any concerns they have about their child. In addition to this all the children have settling sessions in the school to meet the other staff and get familiar with their new surroundings. Parents are invited to attend welcome meetings and are familiarised with the school and school day by the Headteacher and EYFS Lead. School staff make every effort to have thorough handovers with pre-schools and to meet children in their existing settings.
What is the school’s vision and mission statement?
We actively teach our school values, including resilience, respect, caring and being balanced through our ‘Animal Aces’. Have you seen our School Values video? This will give you an insight into how the Animal Aces underpin our day-to-day school life.
What is the school’s approach to mental health?
We actively teach our school values, including resilience, respect, caring and being balanced through our ‘Animal Aces’. We also teach school-wide mental health units, children learn the importance of talking about feelings, negative and positive and how to support their own mental wellbeing and of others, for example creating individual wellbeing leaflets. To maintain this ethos our staff are trained and experienced in using Trauma Informed approaches.
What is the school’s approach to attendance and punctuality?
See Connect Academy Trust’s Attendance Policy.
What is the school’s approach to inclusion and diversity?
See the SEND page of the website for all information.
What is the school’s approach to promoting positive behaviour?
See school Relationships and Behaviour Policy.
What is the school’s approach to assessment and testing?
We complete statutory assessments including EYFS Reception Baseline, Y1 Phonics Screening Check, Y4 Multiplication Tables Check and Y6 SATs. All children are assessed by their class teacher (familiar adult) on a termly basis using a mixture of assessments materials.
What are the school hours?
The doors open at 8:45am and registers close at 8:50am. School finishes at 3:15pm