Our School Policies

School Rules describe behaviour that is appropriate and are positive statements of how children and adults should behave in school and when outside in the community representing Niddrie Mill.

Whole School Code is used to encourage our pupils to develop as Successful Learners, Confident Individuals, Responsible Citizens and Effective Contributors.
We want our pupils to say with confidence:
- I can take responsibility for my own learning
- I can manage my own feelings and value the feelings of others
- I can show respect for everyone in school, at home and in the wider community
- I can co-operate with others when facing challenges

Classroom Rules
At the beginning of each session pupils, with their class teachers will draw up a set of classroom rules. These rules will help establish a good environment for learning and list what is required to help the class run smoothly and efficiently. These rules may change termly if the teacher/pupils feel there is a need for a different focus.

Rewards
To encourage children to follow these rules staff:
Recognise and praise achievements with smiles, stickers, certificates, positive notes home etc
Award Pupil of the Week certificates (treat with Support for Behaviour teacher)
Award Bronze, Silver and Gold "Good Citizen Awards"
Send children to HT/DHT for recognition of achievement
Give children Golden Time
Give pupils the opportunity to become involved in extra curricular activities and to represent the school

Consequences
Children are encouraged to see that there are consequences if they choose to misbehave. Children may:
- Be given a warning and their name circled on the class Tracking Sheet - this may occur more than once
- Be given "time out" in another class
- Be sent to "Consequences" at break or lunchtime to reflect on their behaviour
- Be sent to HT or DHT - parents may be contacted by phone or letter
- Miss out on part or all of Golden Time


Serious Misbehaviour will result in immediate referral to senior staff who will decide on the appropriate sanction - which may include exclusion.

Monitoring
To monitor behaviour the class teachers fill tracking sheets in daily. Children have their own sheet as a visual reminder of their chosen behaviour.
Each term children work towards a Bronze Certificate for Good Citizenship, a Silver Certificate for Excellent Citizenship or a Gold Certificate for Outstanding Citizenship. Good behaviour will be rewarded with:

1 Gold Certificate - juice and biscuits in the staffroom/photo taken
2 Gold Certificates - juice and biscuits with the HT/photo taken
3 Gold Certificates - special treat and photo

Children always have a target to aim for and we invite parents whose children are receiving awards to join with is in celebrating success at our award assemblies.

Communication with parents/carers
Staff will contact parents by a note/telephone call both to share good news and to discuss strategies for helping with behavioural problems. Parents are welcome to make an appointment to meet with class teachers or a member of the management team if there are behavioural issues they would like to discuss.

Environmental Studies is the curriculum area in which children acquire and develop the skills, attitudes, knowledge and understanding, which they need in order to understand themselves and the world around them.
Pupils should develop an understanding of the environment, their place within it and the factors (past and present) that have shaped it.
Each pupil should:-
- Acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to interact effectively with the environment in all aspects of life
- Progressively recognise the knowledge, understanding and skills associated with social subjects, science and technology
- Develop informed attitudes and values relating to the use of resources and sustainable global development

Teaching and Learning
We ensure that Good use is made of the local area and community as a starting point or feature of many learning activities

The pupils have opportunities to learn about Scotland, U.K., Europe and the world in the past and in the present, in a physical and social context

Environmental Studies is taught in a way that fosters interest and enthusiasm in order to make the subject exciting and meaningful (Refer to Niddrie Mill Learning and Teaching Policy)

Our Learning and Teaching rakes account if the Scottish Executives 5 National Priorities, Learning For All, Assessment is For Learning and Towards a Curriculum for Excellence

key principles

• Learning and teaching will be inclusive and enjoyable
• Learning and teaching will meet the needs of the whole learner
• Learning and teaching will take account of multiple intelligence
• Learning and teaching will be flexible
• Learning and teaching will create lifelong learners who are active citizens

Aims

We believe that people learn in different ways. At our school we provide a rich and varied learning environment that allows pupils to develop skills and abilities to their full potential. Through our teaching we aim to:

Create an ethos of achievement to raise levels of attainment for all pupils

Use the 5-14 and 3-5 curriculum frameworks to ensure a coherent and progressive approach to learning and teaching

Enable our pupils to become confident, resourceful, enquiring and independent learners

Foster pupils self-esteem and help them to build positive relationships with people

Show respect for all cultures and, in so doing, to promote positive attitudes towards other people

Develop pupils self-respect and encourage pupils to respect the ideas, attitudes, values and feelings of others

Learning Environments

We will create learning environments which:
Create conditions which motivate all pupils to make sustained progress in learning within a common framework

Provides equal opportunities for all pupils

Are flexible in responding to pupils academi, personal and social development

Take account of pupils different learning styles

Make it clear that the achievements and progress of each pupil are valued

Promote teaching which builds on the prior learning and attainments of pupils

Enable teachers to spend most of their time on direct teaching and encourage pupils to work effectively on challenging tasks

Are feasible and appropriate in terms of its expectations of teachers and pupils

Promote praise and build positive attitudes to school, learning and the wider environment

Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own learning, reflecting on how they learn what helps them learn and what makes it difficult to learn

Are attractive and stimulating and display pupils work through use of Good Work Walls, Good Writing and Learning About Our World Displays Teaching approaches .

We offer opportunities for pupils to learn in different ways and our teaching is varied to take account of different learning styles. We use teaching approaches which:

• engage and stimulate the learner
• are varied to match learning needs and preferred styles of learning
• offer good quality interaction between staff and pupils
• allow for regular review of progress towards learning outcomes
• maximise opportunities to work directly with learners in whole class
• embed ICT in the learning process
• promote positive social interactions

Structure of Lessons

All lessons whether group or class will commence with sharing the learning outcomes/targets with the pupils. The WALT and WILF for each lesson will be shared with the pupils. Each lesson will include direct teaching with differentiated follow up activities - differentiated by task, outcome or level of support. There will be a plenary session or summing up of what has been learnt at the end of the lesson, whenever possible.

Teachers are at their most effective when teaching directly. We see direct teaching as being an effective teaching tool. Effective direct teaching includes the following features:-

• Varied questioning of pupils and giving clear explanations in a range of contexts
• Listening and responding to pupils answers and views
• Providing pupils with feedback and checking, through questioning, that teaching points have been well made and understood
• Sharing objectives/targets with pupils when setting tasks which motivate and challenge
• Monitoring the progress and pace of learning of individuals within groups
• Responding to individual needs by identifying next steps in learning

Direct teaching is effective in introducing and consolidating work. Direct teaching carries with it a need to ensure that tasks undertaken by pupils are time-limited with a clear outcome expected at the end of that time.

Forward planning

Our teachers forward planning takes account of:

• Long-term (yearly), medium term (termly) and short term(weekly) planning
• Prior learning and preferred learning styles (VAK)
• Multiple intelligences, including Emotional Intelligence
• Setting targets which specify what learners are expected to learn (WALT & WILF)
• Teacher activities, assessment evidence and resources used to meet these targets
• Evaluating what has been taught and identifying next steps for learning and teaching
• Linking class-work and homework
• Cross-curricular links

Assessment is an integral part of the learning and teaching cycle.
We undertake assessment that

• is linked to Assessment for Learning
• is well matched to clearly identified purposes and encourages learners
• emphasises the formative, celebrating what has been achieved achieved to progress
• emphasises next steps for learners
• is an appropriate blend of self, peer and teacher review
• is both formal and informal
• provides useful information which is shared with learners, parents and other agencies

Organisation of Classes

All of our classes are of mixed ability and to cater for the needs of all we organise them in a variety of flexible ways to take account of individual needs:

• Whole class
• Attainment groups
• Social groups
• Setting
• Individuals in consultation with Support for Learning team to provide suitable programmes for pupils withI.E.P.s and to provide extension activities for able pupils

Partnership with Parents

Parents are kept informed by termly newsletters, annual reports and twice yearly Parents Meetings to discuss childrens progress. Priorities in the School Development Plan are shared with parents and parents are audited for their views.

Continuing Professional Development

All staff attend CPD courses, maintain a CPD portfolio and are encouraged to be reflective practitioners.

Role of Support for Learning

The Support for Learning team and Learning Assistants play a significant role in supporting the school in all aspects of learning and teaching. Collaboration of planning and teaching aims to meet all pupil needs.

Monitoring and review of practice

The Learning and Teaching at the school is related to our school aims and our School Development Plan. We use the Quality Indicators in 'How Good Is Our School' to evaluate our learning and teaching. It is reviewed in light of national priorities, findings of Quality Assurance Reports, HMI inspections, monitoring and review of practice. Classroom practice is shared with Senior Management and attainment levels are tracked and monitored by the management team on a termly basis during Forward Plan Feedback.

This helps to inform us of the effectiveness of our learning and teaching within the school. Teachers are encouraged to be reflective practitioners, to evaluate the effectiveness of their classroom practice and to share classroom experience with other staff.

We take account of reviewing learning and teaching methods to ensure they are still relevant when we are reviewing our School Policies or auditing aspects of the School Development Plan.

The aim of this guide is to answer some commonly asked questions about Homework. Please take the time to go through it with your child and any other family members who support your child with their homework.

Why is Homework given?

Homework is given for lots of reasons. These include:

• to reinforce the teaching and learning that has taken place in school
• to keep parents informed of work being done in school
• to give extra practice in skills
• to revise work done in school
• to encourage pupils to work independently
• to establish study habits for the future

When is Homework given?

Your child will have homework Monday - Thursday. There may be occasions when some homework is given over the weekend too.

How long should Homework take?

Homework should not take your child an excessive time to complete. If you are concerned about the length of time your child is taking to complete their homework, please do not hesitate to contact his / her class teacher.

A rough guide for the length of time homework should take is:

P4 - P5 (20 minutes per night)

P6 - P7 (20 - 30 minutes per night)

What kind of Homework will my child be given?

The type of homework your child is set will vary from stage to stage. However, all children are asked to read something every night. This may be their current reading book or something of their own choice. Do not worry if it is only the Television Guide - all reading is good practice!

Spelling, common words and the revision of sounds are common pieces of homework set to children across the school. Maths homework is usually a revision of skills already taught e.g. times tables, addition, subtraction, time etc. Your child may also be asked to find out information about their current class topic. A trip to the library, if possible, is not only rewarding but helps to emphasise to your child that you take their homework seriously. At times, your knowledge or the knowledge from other family members can help with topic work too. Do not underestimate yourself!

How can I help?

As a parent, it is vital that you support your child with their homework. You can do this in a variety of ways but consider the following:

• Discuss with your child the task they have been set
• Praise and encourage your child
• Contact the school if any aspect of homework is causing problems
• Inform the school if there are any circumstances preventing homework being completed
• Ask for your child to be given a place in the Homework Club
• Homework club is supported to complete homework tasks by a member of staff
• Provide a suitable bag in which homework can be carried to and from school
• Monitor the completion of homework and sign it as required

What is expected of my child?

All children like to learn and study in different ways. Your child needs to find what suits their learning style. Some children like to work in silence while others need a little music on quietly in the background. All children need somewhere free from clutter to work at to produce their best work.

All children should be encouraged to:

• produce their best work
• find a place at home where they are comfortable studying
• plan to do their homework at a time most suitable to fit in with the family routine
• avoid leaving homework to the last minute
• ensure that homework is taken home and is returned on the required day
• give a reason for non-completion of homework
• join the Homework Club

How do the teachers support my child with their homework?

Staff will ensure that all children are provided with the necessary task sheet or book, appropriate jotter, reading book and reading record. Should these be lost, you may be asked to contribute to the cost of their replacement.
Teachers also consider the following before issuing homework:

• only meaningful homework is given
• children are capable of completing their homework
• instructions are clear and understood by the child

Class teachers can also refer pupils to the Homework Club if they feel they would benefit from some extra support.

Please do not hesitate to contact your childs teacher should you find any aspect of their homework difficult or puzzling. We can help support you while you support your child.

Should your child fail to hand in their homework on the required day, they will be asked for a reason for this. The homework should then be handed in the following school day. Should this fail to happen, your childs teacher may then contact you either by telephone or letter to discuss the matter further.

School Policy on Clothing

The wearing of school uniform is part of our Positive Behaviour Programme, as it encourages a sense of identity for every child to belong to the Niddrie Mill school family. We ask that Parents & Carers give their full co-operation in ensuring that their child wears his/her school uniform every day in P1-P7.

Our pupils are often asked to represent our school in the community and our distinctive blue and gold sweatshirts are always remarked upon. Sweatshirts, jogging trousers, polo shirts and many other items are all available to order through our School Reception at competitive prices. Pupils in Primary 7 have their own separate order form and can wear a red sweatshirt. Also pupils in the nursery can wear a purple jumper.

Clothing Vouchers are welcome as a means of payment

The wearing of the Shalwar Kameez and other forms of traditional dress are acceptable in the school colours. It is helpful if Parents & Carers name all items of clothing including footwear.

We ask that Parents & Carers do not send their children to school in football colours as they encourage unnecessary arguments and rivalry.

Clothing which bears slogans or is decorated with chains is not permitted and should your child arrive in unsuitable clothing they will be asked to choose a more acceptable item from the school stock of uniform.

Pupils are required to wear shorts, t-shirts and gym shoes for PE. These should be kept in school as they may be required at any time.

Attendance and Truancy Call

Niddrie Mill School asks that Parents & Carers telephone the school between 7.30 and 8.30am on the first day of their childs absence. An answer phone may be operating and your message will be passed on to the class teacher.

The responsibility for Classroom Behaviour lies with the Class Teacher however where a child refuses to co-operate with classroom discipline the Senior Management Team will become involved and Parents & Carers will be informed. A telephone call is also vital if your child is unable to return to school after lunch.

Parents & Carers should be aware that persistent lateness is very disruptive to their childs and the other class members education. Parents & Carers should always ensure that their child is delivered and collected on time. A record of lateness is kept in the class register.

Truancy Call is a new electronic system that has been introduced to all City of Edinburgh schools. Its prime concern is to ensure the safety of pupils so that both the school and parents know exactly where the pupils are. Children who are marked onto the Class register as an unexplained absence are automatically added to the Truancy call service.

An automated message is then sent out to the Parent & Carer for that pupil asking them to contact the school. The school will then be aware of the whereabouts of that particular pupil.

Parents & Carers are discouraged from taking holidays during term time and the Headteacher cannot give permission for these to take place. Absences for holidays are extremely disruptive to the child in question and indeed to others in his/her class.

Lost Property

A lost property box is situated in the Service Support Officers room at the entrance to the school. It is the child, Parents & Carers responsibility to retrieve lost property. It is essential that all items of clothing worn at school be named.

Home School Partnership

Parents, Carers and Staff are encouraged to work in partnership to develop strong links between home and school. Parents & Carers are encouraged to support the school in many ways by helping to escort children on outings, becoming a classroom volunteer to assist with reading and numeracy initiatives, sharing their expert knowledge in a particular field to enhance pupil project work, or by being a leader in an extra curricular activity outwith the school day.

Volunteers are required to complete an application form and a Disclosure Scotland application for Enhanced Disclosure form - these are available from our Business Manager.

Parents and Carers are also asked to support with homework which your child will bring home from school. Please check your childs reading diary and homework book for further information.

Medical Care Procedures

If a child is unwell during the school day they are asked to report to the School Office and will then be taken to the Medical Room for assessment. Once Staff have treated/comforted the child a decision will be made about contacting the childs emergency contact. If contact is made, the child will remain in either the Medical Room or School Reception until the emergency contact arrives.

The class teacher will be informed about the childs absence and the childs belongings will be delivered to the Medical Room. An adult will remain beside the child until the arrival of the emergency contact. If a child has received a major wound or injury an accident report form will be completed and Parents & Carers may be asked for further information if the injured child receives medical attention. Parents & Carers will receive a copy of the accident report.

If a child reports to the Medical Room with a minor graze or simply requires comforting this will be done and will be monitored until the end of the day. A child who may simply be feeling a little under the weather is often better back in the classroom. In an emergency, if emergency contact cannot be made, Senior Staff may take the decision to take a child to the Royal Hospital for Sick Childrens Emergency Department.

Health Care & Administration of Medicines

From time to time, Parents & Carers request that their child be given medication during the school day and that a member of staff should administer it. Staff are under specific instructions, however, that they are only allowed to do so if Parents & Carers make such a request in writing and give full details of quantity, frequency and method of administration.

A standard form for such information is held in the school office and is available to Parents & Carers on request. Please note that this information is required whether the medication is prescribed or not. Children requiring medication whilst on an outdoor experience excursion must fill in separate forms to ensure that their health needs are fully met.

School Nurse

Our school is regularly visited by our School Nurse. Parents & Carers may contact her to discuss any health issue and she will be happy to advise or refer on to another member of the health support team. An issue which our School Nurse and other Nurses working in schools is often consulted on is that of Headlice Infestation. This is a distressing condition and can and has affected school staff, Parents & Carers as well as pupils. It is however the parent/Carers responsibility to check for Headlice and ensure that their child is treated immediately when an infestation is detected. Advice can be given by the School Nurse or your GP will advise on suitable lotions some of which can be chemical free and removal of eggs is best done by a special head comb.

Safe Routes to School

The responsibility for ensuring safe travel to and from school is a parental one. At Niddrie Mill part of our Health Promoting School policy is that children walk and cycle to school. Parents & Carers who feel the route(s) to and from school is-are not safe have the right to communicate their concerns to the Director Children & Families.
(it is envisaged that the Headteacher would be the first point of contact in this regard).

As part of the overall strategy to dissuade vehicle users (the majority of whom are Parents & Carers) from stopping and parking at school entrances and recommended crossing points, 'Schools Keep - Clear' and associated yellow zigzag markings should be adhered to.

Occasional and Emergency Arrangements

Generally our school week follows the pattern noted in our school hours. Sometimes there are planned closures for In-Service days. Parents & Carers are given notification of these closures well in advance so that childcare arrangements can be made.

Should the school face closure for any emergency, checks are made so that pupils are not returning to empty houses. It is vital that Parents & Carers issue us with emergency contacts other than their home address so that their child can be with a responsible adult should an emergency arise in school.

Wet Mornings

Pupils are expected to remain in the playground until the morning bell rings at 8.50am. On very wet mornings Senior Staff will allow pupils to enter the building at 8.40 if they wish. It would be helpful on wet mornings if Parents & Carers do not send their children to school until 8.40am. If this is not possible, Parents & Carers should tell their children to wait until a Senior Staff member escorts pupils into school. No child may enter the school premises until 8.40am. Class teachers are preparing for lessons at this time and break supervisors are not in school.

Security

Parents & Carers are asked to support our efforts to make our school a secure environment for our pupils and staff. All doors are made secure at 8.50am and access is only available via the main entrance. We therefore ask that Parents & Carers leave their children in the school playground and allow the class teacher to escort them into school.

Visitors are asked to report in the first instance to the School Office to sign the visitors book and receive a security pass. As mentioned previously there is zero tolerance of violence in Niddrie Mill Primary School and this applies to staff, pupils and Parents & Carers. Visitors to our school will be treated with courtesy and respect and it is expected that this will be reciprocated. It may be necessary from time to time for Parents & Carers to take children out of school during the school day, e.g. for dental or medical appointments. In such circumstances children will only be allowed to leave school if an adult comes to collect them. A written note explaining that this will happen should be given to the class teacher on the morning of the appointment.

Playground Supervision

When pupils are at school, the responsibility for their safety rests with the Department of Children & Families and the Headteacher. Niddrie Mill Support Staff undertake this responsibility on behalf of the Department. This means that reasonable steps are taken to prevent any pupils suffering injury. Guidelines have been drawn up to ensure that accidents or difficulties can be reported to a responsible adult and appropriate action taken. During very wet lunchtimes or breaks we aim to have pupils in the school building, Niddrie Mill Support Staff together with the Management Team supervise pupils in their classrooms.