…..How can we find out more about the school?

The best way to begin is with a visit to the school, a look at the school brochure, and talking to parents of children who have been at the school, if you live nearby!

The headteacher, Mrs. Benefer, is available to show parents and families around on Mondays… or at other times by appointment.

This initial meeting includes:

• a tour of the school building and grounds
• a chance to meet staff
• a chance to see pupils at work
• an opportunity to discuss your child’s needs

Please phone the headteacher (01986-784205)
or e.mail on head.bramfield@talk21.com if you would like to order a brochure or make a visit to the school.

…. What age can my child join the school ?

The school follows the Suffolk LEA admissions policy and procedure.
This entitles children to start school in the academic year of their fifth birthday, either full or part time depending on when they become 5 during that year:

• Children with birthdays between 1st Sept. & 31st Dec. will start school full-time in September and have 3 terms full-time in their first year in school.
• Children with birthdays between 1st Jan. & 30th April. will start school part time in Sept. becoming full time in January. (1 term part-time, 2 terms full –time in their first year.)
• Children with birthdays between 1st May & 31st Aug. will be able to start school part time in Sept. becoming full time at Easter. (2 terms part-time and 1 term full-time in their first year.)

…… How will my child get used to school?

Following an initial visit, children will be able to gradually participate in our developing introductory programme, which includes:

• Informal pre-school parent/child sessions on Friday afternoons 2 -3 pm, Spring and Summer Terms.
• Invitation to join Friday sharing assemblies 3 pm.
• Invitation to school events prior to entry.. e.g. Christmas Production.
• Liaison with pre-school play groups, e.g. Mulberry Bush, Halesworth.
• Family put on the mailing list to receive newletters from the school prior to entry, so that parents can talk about life at school.
• Parents invited to have lunch at school with their child at they make the transition to school

· For older children joining the school, a ½ or full day visit can be made to the class to help make the transition.

…… How is the curriculum organised?
(full details in the school brochure, but here are some key points!)

The school follows the National Literacy Strategy and the National Numeracy Strategy as a basis for teaching and developing the essential skills. With small numbers in the classes there is scope for lots of individual attention, and the children do well at national Key Stage 1 Sat tests, mostly scoring above the national average.

Foundation subjects (Science, History, Geography, Design Technology) are taught through a two year cycle of carefully planned and resourced topics, as a basis around which to develop children’s learning. The national QCA schemes of work are used to ensure that children cover all aspects.
The school has a strong tradition of music and the arts, and each term a week is set aside to focus on learning in these areas:

Music week: Autumn term - a week of performance of live music e.g. Bungay High School Musicians / African Drumming.

Book Week: Spring term, around National Book Day
(with children’s writers invited into school)

Arts Week: Summer term (this includes artists working in school and a whole school visit to a gallery)

These weeks are very successful and have been extended to develop other areas - multi-cultural (Chinese New Year / Divali Week) and environmental School Grounds Week.

Drama….
Mrs David, who is a specialist in drama, runs a weekly drama club, and in the autumn term produces and directs an annual school production which involves every child in the school. This runs on a bi-annual cycle… one year nativity, one year pantomime, and gives the children an opportunity to take part in an exciting range of activities from making props to performing on stage in the village hall with costumes, make up and lights. This event draws on many strengths in the local community, with many people offering their services to help design and make costumes and props, set up and operate staging, lighting and a sound system, and set up the village hall. Members of the community and many ex-pupils attend the evening performance making this a real community event where the children have a great opportunity to work together and gain confidence!