Fagley Primary School and Children's Centre
Fagley Primary School and Children's Centre
Fagley Primary School and Children's Centre
and
Childrens Centre
WITH ME IN MIND
because I matter now and in the future
WITH ME IN MIND
at school, at home and in the community
School Context
Fagley Primary School is an average primary school with 288 children on role (36 children are in the 2
year old room). Most children live in an area around the school, mainly made up of White British
families (41%) and Pakistani families, (35.4%) with an increasing number of EU migrants and traveller
families, many of whom have had no previous schooling. In an area that is extremely deprived (IMD
22% of families living in the first 0-5% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation) of income, 35.2% lone
parents of which 46.7% are out of work. This has an impact on role models for learners as few people
within the community of Fagley go on to further education, and many have few or no qualifications.
Nursery baseline assessments indicate that attainment on entry is very low. Due to strategic planning
in the Childrens Centre the attainment on entry is higher for the children who are not low or high
ability. Most children have extremely limited skills and prior experience in key areas such as speaking
and listening, visiting places of interest and physical development. Attainment on entry is gathered
through home visits, observations and baseline assessments.
56.7% in Raise On Line of children take up Free School Meals with 50% of children eligible for Pupil
Premium. The number of pupils on the SEN Register from Nursery to year 6 is 56 pupils (22%) and
remains slightly above the National Average.
As a school we provide as many firsthand experiences and outdoor learning opportunities as possible
for the children as part of the curriculum. Three Forest School Practitioners who are members of our
staff team, provide a range of exciting opportunities for learning both in the school grounds and in our
local woodland. A team of accredited staff have led a programme, ELKLAN, to support a deeper and
broader development of vocabulary and language. A bespoke Food Technology Room benefits and
equips children with differing needs with lifelong learning skills. Children have every advantage to
success in Sport in both lessons and after school clubs. A dedicated ICT teacher is supporting the
new computing curriculum to ensure that computing skills are integrated into all aspects of teaching
and learning. Termly concerts entertain parents with highly skilled musical performances where
reading, writing and mathematics progress is rewarded in an Oscar style ceremony including
entertainment, engagement and enjoyment. All of which are alongside our intention to support all
children to do their absolute best.
The school has a Local Authority Childrens Centre on site which is governed by the schools Governing
Body. A two year old provision is now established where the school and children centre work for the
best possible start for our families.
The headteacher has recently returned from 1 year two terms as executive head to both Fagley
Primary and Thackley Primary schools from January 2014. A recent Ofsted pilot at Thackley Primary
recognised the good working partnership between the schools.
Where weaknesses in teaching are identified, school leaders modelled good practice and coached other
professionals to raise the teaching and learning in their classrooms to at least good (2013-2015).
There is a good link made between the schools analysis of data and the expectations of individual
staff in securing good progress. Teachers and the Leadership Team set challenging, individual targets
for all children in Key Stage Two based on prior Key Stage attainment which is used to identify
underachievement at the earliest possible stage and keep expectations high. The same strategy is
applied for all children in Key Stage One based on end of Early Years Data (both GLD and subject
specific) and Early Years GLD based on entry baseline data to nursery. Pupil Progress targets within
Performance Management have raised expectations and accelerated pupil progress.
Fagley Primary is a member of the East One Partnership. This partnership has been formed with
fifteen other local primary schools and one upper school that work together to guarantee
sustainability and development through targeted school improvement. Through this partnership we aim
to develop CPD opportunities for all and feel strongly that one of our aims is to provide staff with the
necessary skills to further progress their careers; whether that is through providing excellent support
for NQTs, or through leadership training for more experienced staff, there are development
opportunities for all. These termly collaborate meetings enable staff and children to reflect upon
strategies and new initiatives developed between the two schools.
Teacher assessment is accurate and robust. Close links with a partnership school enables the
Leadership Team to develop staffs pedagogy and accountability of their own classroom practice to
impact on childrens achievement. It not only provides a more effective tool for monitoring by leaders,
but teachers are able to use the outcomes of assessment to inform their planning so that provision
meets the learning needs of pupils more precisely. All leaders are clear of their role in raising
standards. Senior and subject leaders play an active part in all forms of monitoring and evaluation and
pupil progress meetings; this ensures a clear overview of progress and attainment within their subject
on whole school.
The curriculum has been reviewed over the past year to increase pupils engagement and feedback, as
monitoring and evaluation indicates that they are now taking greater ownership of their learning. Last
year has seen the school working towards the new curriculum that is enabling children to make links
between the subjects and develop key skills within meaningful contexts; future work will see us focus
on challenge within individual subjects and ensure outcomes are of the highest quality with the new
national curriculum. Links between subjects are made to add relevance and allow for greater
opportunities to apply English, Mathematics, communication and computing skills in a wide range of
contexts.
Leaders have provided pupils with the opportunities to learn and reflect about all faiths through
regular family faith days and recognising key faith celebrations throughout the year. The moral
development of pupils is supported through the personal, social and emotional development teaching
where all teaching assistants have received an accreditation through hard work and rigorous training
by the Local Authority (usually accredited to teachers). Leaders have worked closely with staff to
develop a years cultural calendar both wacky and deep to engage all learners in the school. Equally
British Values are at the heart of the schools work where every opportunity is taken be it planned
(School Council nominations and elections, the British Cities Week) or spontaneous ( as in the playing of
Rule Britannia in a music assembly at the time of the Last Night of the Proms) promoting a patriotic
ethos in the school.
Leaders and Governors promote equality of opportunity and diversity through all aspects of school life
with both focused meetings / training for example around preventing radicalisation and extremism and
looking to provide children with safeguarding skills at school, at home and in the community.
School engagement with parents and carers is very good and families value the positive relationship
with the school. The school has an Inclusion Manager and Parental Link Worker who support vulnerable
families across the school, in particular with issues around care and attendance. The school regularly
seeks the view of parents/carers on issues relating to school. Parent Consultation days, held three
times a year, inform parents/carers about their childs progress and help them to support learning
further. Opportunities to talk to parents are valuable and key workers from nursery to year 6 develop
these relationships to the benefit of children understanding that school and home work hand in hand.
Parent classes are run regularly; this has helped to encourage parents as volunteers, then as Parent
Champions leading to employment in education. Parent classes support families to develop an
understanding of their childs learning, what their child is learning about and learning for parents in
the form of English and Maths accreditation, Family Links, Mosaic and ESOL classes. The school has
achieved the Engaging Families Award (2015).
Safeguarding procedures are very good in school. Procedures are known to all staff and there is a
clear leadership responsibility in relation to Child Protection. The school promotes equal opportunity
for all and tackles all forms of discrimination. Policies on tackling all forms of prejudice, together with
records of bullying, racist incidents and any other serious incidents, together with any actions taken
are carefully logged. The Single Central Record is in place and is regularly monitored and updated.
The health and safety policy is implemented effectively, accidents are dealt with swiftly and all
incidents are reviewed in order to adjust practice if necessary. The Leadership Team and Governing
Body ensure that the well-being of children is central to its thinking. Staff and children play an
important role in ensuring that the fabric of the building is safe, regular checks are made of the
premises with concerns reported to the Governing Body. As a result of this, children feel safe in
school and are confident to share any concerns they have.
The school effectively promotes pupil understanding of safety through the curriculum so that children
have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and know who to go to if they need advice,
guidance and support. The school is proactive in working with other agencies e.g. the Nursing Service
to reduce the risk of harm to pupils. Risk assessments are robust.
Overall the effectiveness of partnerships in promoting learning and well-being is good. The school has
developed strong partnerships with other agencies such as the Education Psychology Service to
promote the well-being of all pupils. These partnerships have enabled barriers to learning to be
removed for a large number of children, enabling them to make better progress. Any child
experiencing personal or family difficulties is well supported by the Inclusion Manager who has an
excellent knowledge of individuals and personal circumstances.
The School Council is respected by staff and children and have four committees that are based around
the Every Child Matters agenda with children interviewing new members of staff, reporting to the
Health and Safety Governing Body Committee and other such roles to develop both confidence and
responsibility.
The Governing Body shares the schools vision, understands and challenges the strategies that the
school employs to impact positively on school improvement. The Governors apply their knowledge of
data dashboard, key facts in Raise-On-Line and in school data to fulfil their role in both full Governing
Body meetings, committee meetings and visits into school.
teaching and learning process. Pupils know where they are and what they need to do next to succeed
further.
Homework is set throughout school in line with the agreed approach. This focuses on a piece of writing
(diary or blog writing), spellings/phonic practice, times tables, reading and the weekly talking prompt.
Teachers are very clear with parents at each consultation day with regard to homework expectation.
Transition between classes and key stages, through the wide range of strategies in place, enable
teachers to meet pupils needs. Children are equally prepared for the next stage in their education and
adult life. This builds on the strong, mutual trust between the staff that exists within the school.
Moderation in reading, writing and maths along with classroom environment requirements and training
has lead to positive pedagogical discussions in staff teams between Fagley and Partnership Schools.
The robust, rigorous half termly pupil progress reviews identify underachievement and actions are
promptly taken to address this. Such rigour and clearer lines of accountability (attainment and
progress of key groups; attainment and progress of individual children; end of year and KS targets;
ongoing combined data through Venn diagram and a better understanding of national data) is ensuring
staff develop a strong understanding and ownership of the data and address concerns at the earliest
possible stage.
The behaviour of the children and their attitudes to learning is a real strength of the school. Pupils
behaviour in lessons and around school is very good, with much being exemplary. Outstanding learning
behaviour boards are in every classroom. Parents are contacted via text message to inform them that
their child has received outstanding behaviour that day at school. Pupils are always well behaved in
lessons and make a strong contribution to the school as a learning community. Outstanding learning is
also recognised at the weekly Lets Celebrate assembly where each class chooses a child to receive
the Outstanding Behaviour Award. Parent are invited to the assembly to celebrate with their child.
There is a highly positive ethos based on achievement, learning and celebration. Through our approach
to focus on learning behaviour, there has been excellent improvements in general behaviour over the
past four years, with the number of incidents reduced markedly as documented in the Purple Logs,
Parent Log and Governors Reports. Where interventions have been put in place to manage the
behaviour of individual pupils they have been very successful. We have developed a culture of
celebrating excellent learning. Incidents of exclusion are extremely low as most children respond to
an alternative solution and all pupils demonstrate respect for the school learning environment.
Parents are made aware of concerns and their consent sought in accordance with local procedures with
the emphasis being on a positive outcome for both parent/s and child/ren. When parents raise
concerns these are addressed and logged promptly with follow up feedback to ensure all queries or
worries have been addressed. From the last round of questionnaires and information from parent view
from the last academic year, parents are very positive about school. 100% of parents say that their
child is well looked after at school March 2014.
Learners demonstrate a high level of concerns for their own safety and that of others, including
showing compassion for children with disabilities. Children know they have to take care when using
certain equipment, including the use of ICT. The school operates a zero tolerance approach to racism,
violence and prejudice, the impact of this is that bullying is rare and pupils know that seeking the
support from staff through key workers or the Inclusion Manager is the best route to dealing with any
concerns they have. All classroom are equipped with worry boxes and a feelings chart to tell adults
how they are feeling whether it be happy, unhappy or unsafe. Staff ask questions about safety with
the children and children know their identified keyworker with whom they can have a one to one chat
with if needed.
Each class visits the positive lifestyle centre and every November the school take part in celebrating
Anti Bullying Week. School also recognises Road Safety Week and Internet Safety Week. Stranger
danger and other agencies come into school to help the school promote positive reflection of feeling
safe, not just at school but at home too. A weekly safety question is sent home via text and the school
newsletter for them to discuss at home with their families. Children share their familys discussions
and these are recorded in floor books. ChildLine comes into school each year to promote safety and
the Inclusion Manager has a box where children can request a meeting if they feel unhappy or unsafe.
The school has not had any racist or bullying incidents as low level unkind behaviours (being mean) are
dealt with so that this prevents escalation where this could happen. Exclusion is low and related to one
incident by one child. Children are rewarded as excellent role models i.e. School Council
representatives, Class leadership roles, House Captains and Deputy House Captains, Play Leaders and
Environmental Managers and they recognise what an important role they play in school. Children are
eager to participate and take on responsibilities, playing a very active role in improving school life.
Children express their views through School Council, contributing to the development of the school.
The school has a House System where children are put in houses named after famous Bradfordians;
the impact of this is that learners are developing a stronger community and cultural pride and work
together to achieve collective goals; discussions with the vast majority of learners share the pride
that they feel in being part of Fagley Primary.
Attendance levels dipped in 2013 2014 for the first time in three years to 94%. After deep analysis
throughout the year it was identified that extended holiday leave had the most negative impact on
attendance. The Inclusion Manager has worked to ensure that children know why it is important to
attend school daily and to ensure that they arrive on time. Attendance is recognised weekly at the
celebration assembly and half termly children with good attendance are placed into a prize draw to win
a bike. The school has recently revised its attendance policy to further improve attendance. Last
year schools attendance increased by 0.6% but we are aware that we need to continue to improve this
figure.
Inclusion is an integral part of success at Fagley as is the professional development and support for all
staff from induction meetings at the start of their career, through to further development as they
stay with us.
Child Protection policies and procedures are securely in place and the school has a robust system of
monitoring and record keeping. Systems in place meet the needs of vulnerable groups and individuals
including those exhibiting negative social and emotional behaviours, mental health needs, LAC, Child
Protection, obesity, Children in Need and also low attainment and most able when affecting their
attainment as identified at pupil progress meetings. The school has a very good relationship and is well
regarded by outside agencies evident in reports and feedback from a range of professionals. Children
are guided to make sensible choices regarding their personal health and safety though the curriculum
and two visits each year to the Positive Lifestyle Centre. The Inclusion Manager visits each class most
days so that developed relationships secure positive outcomes.
E-Safety is discussed with children regularly in both computing sessions, PSHE lesson and whole school
assemblies. E-safety meetings are offered to parents to help support online safety at home. All staff
are trained to identify dangers on the internet and to look out for signs of grooming, child
exploitation, bullying, extremism and radicalisation.
For children in Year 6 transition is happening throughout the school year to prepare them not only for
secondary school but ready for life in work. Over the year the children visit Universities, colleges and
job fairs. Guest speakers come to school to discuss careers and future aspirations with the children.
Last year the children were visited by an Olympic athlete for the Great Britain Olympic team. At the
beginning of the school year children in Year 6 are interviewed about what they hope to achieve in the
future and how school can help them to achieve this.
Each half term school identifies with the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning. Assemblies are
delivered to the children in an age appropriate way. Staff follow up the assemblies with class
discussions. The children have access to books and stories helping to further develop the childrens
understanding of other peoples feelings and thoughts.
The celebration of Faith Days each half term helps to support diversity within the community. The
children have weekly RE lessons to help promote a better understanding of the cultures in the wider
community. The school invites leaders from the local Mosques into school to help develop relationships
within the community. Supporting the RE curriculum are weekly PSHE lessons and My Place In The
World lessons which help children to understand the dangers they may come up against in life and
ideas on how to deal with them.
School is fortunate to have a food technology room which promotes healthy eating lifestyles to the
children. Parents are invited to a cook and eat sessions to continue to promote this at home. Visits to
the Positive Lifestyle Centre have also supported this. School has adopted a healthy eating policy and
has received the school Healthy Schools Status. Children are involved in choosing the schools
lunchtime menu through the school council this helps them to think about making the correct healthy
choices. The school has also discouraged children from eating crisps at break times and encouraged
them to replace it with fruit (provided free of charge by school) or their own healthy snack.
Fagley Primary School offers a wide range of after school sporting activities and children identified
as obese are encouraged to attend the weekly Fagley Fitness class along with parents form the local
community.
Children and staff celebrate high levels of achievement both academically and in other aspects in
school life. This culminates in termly celebration of achievement, with bands, singing and the Red
Carpet with parents readily applauding the successes of their child/ren.
We want our children to be proud and safe and engage with a variety of outside agencies.
Stand up Speak out
Mosaic
equality.
Promotes leadership, citizenship and future
aspirations.
Teaches respect, responsibility, future careers,
looking after the environment and promotes
Culture Fusion
Zoo Lab
Blast Project
Barnardos
(linked to NSPCC)
Supporting transition to Year 6 pupils from the
beginning to the end. Support for families in
Families First
Family Action
Induction
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Standards at the end of KS2 in 2015 have continued on a rising trend in mathematics, reading and
writing. The average point score is less than 1 point difference to National in all subjects
(combined), mathematics and writing; the difference in reading is 1.2 aps (hopefully moving all blue
from Attainment Average Points Score at Key Stage 2 page 37 in Raise On Line). In 2015, the
percentage of children who achieve a Level 4 in English and Mathematics was 71%, an improvement
on previous years. Mathematics is on the school action plan so as to improve over the next year.
In Mathematics, standards at the end of KS2 continue on a rising trend subsequently closing the
gap on National to 0.8aps and at 79% Level 4, attainment is similar when comparing APS but wider
when using percentages. The Leadership team are keen not to mask results when using APS.
Further work is needed to ensure that a greater number of children achieve at Level 5 as in
achieving above end of KS2 age related expectations.
In Reading standards at the end of KS2 continue on a rising trend where the gap to National is now
1.2 APS and above National at 92% at Level 4 (National 89% at Level 4). Level 5 (29%) in reading
is higher than in Level 5 mathematics (21%).
In Writing standards rise on the previous year to 27 APS which is 0.9 APS below National with
83% achieving Level 4 (close to National 85%).
IN GPS standards at the end of KS2 continue on a rising trend from 54% at Level 4 in 2014 to
67% at Level 4 in 2015. 18% at Level 5 in 2014 to 38% at Level 5 2015. Actions to address
attainment in GPS (particularly spelling) is a focus on the School Improvement Plan 2015 2016.
Progress through KS2 shows that the schools position continues to be well above the national
average.
In reading, when considering the proportion of pupils who made expected or better progress
across KS2, the school improved on its 2014 position (which was above National), achieving 100% 2
levels progress and 62% 3 levels progress (National was 91% and 35%). One child, 4% made 4
levels progress.
In writing, when considering the proportion of pupils who made expected or better progress across
KS2, was above National at 100% 2 levels progress and 43% 3 levels progress (National was 96%
and 33%).
In mathematics, when considering the proportion of pupils who made expected or better progress
across KS2, was above National at 100% 2 levels progress and 33% 3 levels progress (National was
92% and 35%). Two children, 8% made 4 levels progress.
Across KS2 (years 3, 4 and 5) generally match the National expectations at 3 levels progress, when
measuring childrens progress from the end of KS1 to the end of their year group, with
Mathematics showing less progress than Reading and Writing in each year group although at
National in year 5 with 34% children making 3 levels progress.
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Across KS2 (years 3, 4 and 5) is less strong at 2 levels progress, when measuring childrens
progress from the end of KS1 to the end of their year group, with the low ability children lowering
the class % progress.
Overall attainment at the end of Key Stage 1 has continued to rise and more rapidly so in 2014
2015. Attainment in reading and writing shows an improving trend. However, further
improvements are needed to ensure that a greater number of children achieve a 2a in all subjects.
The overall KS1 points score is similar to the previous year (with reading slightly better).
Progress
Progress through KS1 shows that the school is in a good position. Progress in Year 2 shows
progress in reading to be 5.4 aps, in writing 4.5 APS and in mathematics to be 4.3 APS.
The attainment and progress of disadvantaged pupils matches or is improving to that of other
pupils with the same starting point.
The percentage of disadvantaged pupils attaining level 4 or above at the end of KS2 was at national
in reading 92% and below by one child in mathematics and writing at 85% in both.
At the end of Ks2 100% of disadvantaged children made expected progress in reading, writing and
mathematics. 60% made more than expected progress in reading, 50% in writing and 20%in
mathematics.
In Years 3, 4 and 5, Year 4 disadvantaged pupils showed most progress across reading, writing and
mathematics.
The percentage of disadvantaged pupils attaining level 2 at the end of KS1 has increased by APS
and % in reading on the previous year. In writing the APS has remained the same and increased in
% on the previous year. The APS has decreased slightly in mathematics and more so in %.
Progress for disadvantaged children is good. At the end of KS1 100% made expected progress in
reading and writing and 92% (one pupil missed out) in mathematics. In reading 55% of
disadvantaged children made more than expected progress 46% in writing and 43% in mathematics.
The attainment of SEN pupils at the end of KS2 is moving towards national in reading, writing
and above in mathematics.
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The percentage of SEN children attaining Level 4 or above at the end of KS2 in reading is 75%
with 50% achieving Level 5. In writing those achieving Level 4 or above is 50% with 50%
achieving level 5. In mathematics 100% SEN children achieved Level 4 and 25% Level 5.
At the end of KS2 all children made two levels progress in reading, writing and mathematics. In
reading 75% made more than expected progress, 50% in mathematics and 25% in writing.
In years 3, 4 and 5, Year 4 SEN pupils showed most progress across reading, writing and
mathematics.
The attainment of SEN pupils at the end of KS1 is close to national in reading and writing and
well above national in mathematics.
At the end of KS1 100% made expected progress in reading and writing and 80% (1 pupil
narrowly missed) in mathematics.
60% of SEN children at the end of KS1 made more than expected progress across all 3
subjects.
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This concludes our SEF. The following pages are subject rationales written by teachers and
TAs at Fagley Primary School.
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Often competitions which may be seasonable are entered by each class, such as designing a Christmas
card or Christmas nativity scene for which a pupil from class six was chosen for first prize and a pupil
from class five won second prize. Artwork was selected from several classes to be exhibited at Idle in
connection with Idle Art Studio.
Art coordinator meetings are periodically attended to keep up to date with current local art practice
and to be informed of up and coming exhibitions and competitions.
Computing
At Fagley Primary School our children have access to state of the art digital resources to support
their understanding of information technology, digital literacy and computer science as part of the
Computing curriculum. Children also frequently use technology as cross-curricular tools for learning in
a range of other subject areas. Our children know how to use devices safely and appropriately and
receive regular online safety lessons and instruction, through Computing lessons, PSHCE lessons,
assemblies and through other events that carry a specific online safety theme.
We are proud to deliver weekly Computing lessons to every class from Nursery to Year 6 in our
purpose built Computer Suite which comprises 16 high specification touchscreen Windows desktop
computers as well as a large digital screen for sharing pupils work and for demonstrating activities. By
embedding a culture of high expectations and by delivering lessons to children in groups no larger than
16, children are able to make rapid progress as they develop a range of digital skills and competencies.
We believe it is important for children to have access to a range of digital ecosystems and as such also
provide access to 30 iPads that are shared across our Key Stage One and Key Stage Two classes.
These devices are primarily used by pupils in lessons for the purposes of carrying out internet
research and for creating a range of digital artefacts such as interactive presentations, videos,
animations and simple computer programs.
Children also have access to a portable suite of 16 Windows laptop computers that are accessed
flexibly across the school for a variety of purposes. The number and breadth of devices available in
school that children have the opportunity for one-to-one access to an internet-enabled device
whenever the need arises.
We place great emphasis on children becoming the creators of high quality digital content rather than
just consumers of it, and as such we devise many opportunities for children to understand the true
value of this, whether through inviting children to deliver interactive presentations they have
authored to their classes, through celebrating their successes in our weekly Celebration Assemblies or
in our annual Digital Showcase Event, at which every child in school exhibits an example of their best
digital work in an immersive gallery space in the school hall. We know that these examples create a
culture that values the digital world and shows children its real value in 21 st Century Britain and around
the globe.
Elklan
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We initially started Elklan as our school had a high proportion of children with speech and language
difficulties. We wanted school staff to become more aware of the importance of speech, language and
communication for all children. It was an opportunity to give teachers and teaching assistants practical
strategies to make the school more communication friendly.
A big part of Elklan is to consider questioning. We introduced blank questioning to be used in school
especially when dealing with behaviour. Strategies such as mind maps, word wise whizz, multiple
meaning trees, spidergrammes and venn diagrams were introduced to extend childrens vocabulary.
Each classroom was asked to create a visual timetable for the class. We discussed visual routines for
specific children and the benefits of keeping this visual. E.g. task plans, routine cards.
Food Technology
At Fagley Primary school we believe in providing pupils with a broad and balanced curriculum. We want
children to be successful in all aspect of life in order to be confident, independent, collaborative and
resilient learners. One of the many valuable skills we teach pupils is Food Technology.
At Fagley Primary school we have a state of the art food technology room which allows groups of
children to work with a specialised teacher to not only develop their cookery skills but expand their
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use of language, provide them with opportunities to write for a purpose and to help develop their
mathematical skills.
In Food Technology we seek to develop in our pupils a sound understanding about food and the
important role food plays in a healthy lifestyle. We teach the basic practical cookery skills and focus
particularly on Healthy Eating, Safety and Hygiene, Diet and Nutrition. Pupils are encouraged to be
independent learners, creative thinkers and team workers through their food studies
Forest School
Forest School at Fagley Primary aims to engage children with the outdoors fostering a love, respect,
understanding and responsibility for our environment. It promotes the development of social
interaction, emotional intelligence, self-esteem and an independent, intrinsically motivated, selfconfident approach to learning.
Every child in KS1 and KS2 attends weekly Forest School sessions for a term each year. The sessions
are a minimum of two hours long giving children the time to explore, discover, problem solve and enter
a flow state of learning. The Forest School Practitioner is supported by the class Teaching Assistant
enabling class learning to be enriched and consolidated through outdoor experiences. The children
pursue paths of learning that interest and challenge them. They set their own goals and work towards
them at their own pace, reflecting on their progression and deciding on their next steps for learning.
Achievements are acknowledged and celebrated, whilst a culture is fostered in which is accepted that
sometimes things go wrong (and when they do, the group work together to find solutions). Showing
respect for the environment, each other and ourselves is at the heart of the Forest School ethos. The
children learn how to express and vocalise their needs and feelings and demonstrate empathy for one
another. The high adult to child ratio during sessions allows the children to be supported in their
decision making and beneficial risk taking.
Sessions take place in biodiverse ancient woodlands within walking distance from the school. The
children learn to take pride in this local community asset and are encouraged to use it in their leisure
time with their families.
Fagley Primary is an active member of the Bradford Forest School Network, meeting regularly with
Forest School providers in the district to share skills and help to maintain best practice.
Maths
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At Fagley Primary, we create a maths culture that has fluency, reasoning and problem solving at its
heart. Every child has the opportunity to access problem solving and reasoning activities on a regular
basis and demonstrate mathematical understanding at a deep level by applying their skills and
knowledge to different problems, contexts and subjects. We believe that every child can and will
achieve.
A variety of concrete materials are used across the school to ensure mathematical understanding,
especially when new concepts or methods are introduced. This allows children to develop a depth of
understanding and fluency. More able children are challenged through demonstrating their knowledge
in greater depth while less able children are given the support they need to grasp concepts and
methods. Staff focus on the mathematical understanding, reasoning and fluency while ensuring the
listed content is covered appropriately. This is reflected in the long term plan for each year group,
which also breaks down each objective in to appropriate steps, taking in to consideration gaps in prior
knowledge. Links are also made with other subjects where appropriate and real-life contexts.
Weekly Up for a Challenge lessons ensure methods of problem solving are taught and children are
challenged to reason mathematically by applying their knowledge to a variety of routine and nonroutine problems.
Recall of mathematical facts is a focus, with children having half termly targets which are regularly
visited in class and children given the opportunities to use these facts in a range of problems. Every
fortnight, there is a times table challenge for specific year groups to promote learning times tables
and to celebrate children that can recall facts.
Mosaic
The programme seeks to equip young children with the skills to connect education to work at an early
age through mentors from professional backgrounds acting as role models, and so children girls can
aspire to careers in a range of different sectors. Parents/carers also participate in lessons that raise
their awareness of the importance of education and how to support their children through school and
beyond.
The programme itself is ten weeks long, with a weekly hour-long session where the children cover
themes such as confidence, communication, and role models, whilst the adults look at themes such as
citizenship and understanding the British education system. To complement the sessions, adults and
children are provided with resource booklets which they can refer to throughout the course and
beyond.
Included in the programme is a special university visit to provide exposure to further education.
Hosted by student ambassadors, all participants attend a prominent university to participate in
workshops, a tour of the campus and a presentation on university life.
http://www.mosaicnetwork.co.uk/mentor/primary-school-programme/
Family Links
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Family Links believes every child and parent deserves the best chance in life at home and at school.
The 10 week programme enables parents to become more effective, caring and confident in raising
their children and it helps those children to become more emotionally resilient and socially responsible.
The dynamic approach tackles the root causes of social problems through the Nurturing Programme,
which challenges intergenerational dysfunction.
https://familylinks.org.uk/sg-cms/pdf_docs/Introducing_Family_Links_Leaflet.pdf
PE
With the introduction of PE funding following the London 2012 Olympic Games PE lessons and sport at
Fagley Primary school now has a renewed sharp focus.
The sports premium along with school funds has this year seen the employment of two sports coaches.
The coaches deliver 2 hours worth of high quality PE lesson to all children across the different year
groups each week.
The sports coaches provide lunchtime sporting activities that the children can choose to engage in
further more providing opportunities to develop their skills and fitness levels.
A small part of the funding is used to promote pupils health and wellbeing including providing help for
those pupils who were overweight or obese. A specialised Fagley Fitness club meets weekly and has
been set up to help tackle childhood obesity. Parents and friends of the school can also attend helping
to build community cohesion.
PE at Fagley has many strengths with a wide selection of afterschool clubs available to all children
free of charge. After school clubs include athletics, basketball, hockey, football, gymnastics, Frisbee
and golf. All children are welcome to attend clubs. Keyworkers encourage disadvantaged children to
attend at least one club weekly. Attendance is monitored by key workers and senior leaders to ensure
all children are engaging in the physical activity provided.
The uptake in extracurricular sporting activities has increased and all clubs run at full capacity. Sports
(UK) Ltd have arranged competitions and festivals, with children attending after school clubs which
work up to these competitions. Some of our children have won awards for both winning and team work.
We have also worked closely with the Hanson Partnership and the Sainsburys School Games and have
also arranged friendlies in Tag Rugby, Rounders and football.
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Physical education contributes directly to development and competence and fitness at Fagley Primary
School. It also helps pupils to make informed choices and understand the value of leading as physical
lifestyle. The good physical education we offer has a positive impact on both academic learning and
physical activity patterns of our pupils. We believe that a healthy, physically active pupil is more likely
to be academically motivated, alert and successful in life skills.
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other areas of the curriculum so that children can use and apply what they have learnt in phonics
sessions within other subjects.
In addition to learning particular phonemes for the week, there is also an expectation that children will
learn to read and spell the high frequency words. Word boxes have been distributed to each year
group and all children within Key Stage 1 have a word box containing the first 100 high frequency
words. These boxes are checked regularly by both the teacher and teaching assistant to ensure
children learn the words. Known words are then placed into a word book and are revised as
appropriate. Once the first 100 high frequency words can be read, children are then moved onto the
next 200 common words. It is expected that children will learn these words at home and progress
through them at a good pace.
All members of staff within Key Stage 1 have received phonics training.
Key Stage 2
It is recognised that phonics teaching and learning does not finish at the end of Key Stage 1. As
children move into Key Stage 2, they begin the Support for Spelling program. However, children
identified on the phonics tracker that are still working on the phases as outlined in the Letters and
Sounds document, are provided with a tailored catch up and revision program alongside the age related
expectation for the year group. Key word boxes are also provided and checked regularly for these
children.
How is phonics tracked in school?
All year groups from Reception to Year 6 use a tracking sheet that breaks down the different skills
required in each phase in the Letters and Sounds document. It is used to track the recognition of
different phonemes and also the reading and spelling of the tricky words from each phase. These
detailed trackers are updated regularly and are used to identify areas of development for children.
The information from these is then used to inform teaching and also provide catch up sessions tailored
to the needs of those children that are not making expected progress. It also allows children to be
moved quickly within groups as they progress through the different phases. This information is also
passed onto the next teacher at the end of the academic year so that learning can continue at a fast
pace. Phonics trackers will continue through Key Stage 2 as appropriate to inform teaching alongside
support for spelling work.
How do we assess phonics in school?
At Fagley Primary School there is a strong belief that spelling tests do not play a part in the
assessment of childrens abilities to spell. Therefore the way children demonstrate their ability to
apply phonic knowledge in their reading and writing is the main source of the assessments made.
During the writing process, teachers model sound talking of words within their teaching so that
children will hopefully see the purpose of phonics sessions and apply that knowledge in their writing
across the curriculum. When writing is assessed using the Chris Quigley Assessment criteria for
writing document, there are sections based around spelling which can be used to identify how children
have applied their phonic knowledge in their independent writing.
When planning guided reading, a decoding objective from the Bradford Reading Record is incorporated
alongside objectives from other reading strands. These objectives clearly show what phonic skills
children should be demonstrating in their reading and the phase at which these skills occur. The
strategies and knowledge that children use can then be observed and recorded. In this way teachers
can obtain a rounded picture of childrens phonic attainment.
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RE
Each year group covers specific religions and themes throughout the year, in order to broaden their
knowledge of the six major faiths. Visits to places of worship or visitors into school are arranged to
embed learning and foster a deeper understanding. Pre and post learning sheets are used at the
beginning and end of RE lessons, each term, so the children can see their progression. Each half term
we have a family faith day to celebrate a festival from one of the faiths. Each festival has been
carefully selected to promote equality and diversity and also works alongside our outstanding learning
behaviours. During the faith days, children (from each class) are put into their house groups where
they work alongside any family members they have in school. Parents and carers are invited to come
into school and take part in the celebration and achievement with their children, and can learn to
respect each others cultures and differences together.
As a school we promote British values in a number of different ways. We have an annual school carol
concert in the local church, Reception children hold a nativity play and we have a whole school
Christmas dinner that parents and carers are invited to. For Harvest, we collect donations of tinned
and dried food for the Bradford Food Bank. Some children have previously taken part in the Believe in
Bradford conference, where they have participated in activities around identity, values, commitments
and beliefs. The conference encourages children to learn from each other and share their experiences
in order to promote community cohesion, through an understanding of shared human values, and also
promote childrens Social Moral Spiritual and Cultural development.
The positive culture we promote throughout the school is empathised through activities such as; Stand
Up Speak Out and Make a Difference. This involves the children training to become ambassadors for
either the Anne Frank or Kokeshi exhibition. This training encourages and improves self-confidence
and awareness in challenges faced by others from past to present. The skills they learn help to
prepare them for the next stage in their education.
SMSC
As a school we take pride in having SMSC in the heart of everything throughout our school. We
understand the importance of the children being aware of and excepting the diversity of Britain and
the world around them. This is promoted by using a range of life issues as assembly focuses each week,
such as; safeguarding Week, Remembrance Day, Fairtrade Day and Friendship Month.
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Each year we have a focus on raising awareness of a variety of different charities. Children contribute
in lessons such as; cooking and forest schools, to help with fundraising. This year we are holding a
McMillan Coffee Morning (parents are invited), Farm Africa-Welly Walk, Children in Need and Comic
Relief.
We support childrens understanding of how to keep themselves safe from relevant risks by ongoing ESafety lessons and safety questions of the week. We also have a focus on Black History Month in
October, Anti Bullying Week in November and Internet Safety Day in February. ChildLine workshops
are delivered in upper key stage 2, and we ensure every child throughout the school has the
opportunity to share any concerns. Worry boxes and feelings charts are in every classroom and a
keyworker is assigned to each child. Continued learning of these and other life issues are focused on
during My Place in the World; a subject that covers relevant issues from around the world, activities
to promote self-confidence and self-awareness, careers advice and guidance about education,
employment and training, general health and well-being and also all other aspects of PSHE and
Citizenship. Newsround is also watched to encourage children to be aware of global issues. Annual
visits to the Positive Lifestyle Centre help to install learning around keeping safe and transition to
secondary schools. As a school we understand the importance of transition to new classes as well as
new schools and know how difficult it can be, especially for many of our children at our school. In
order for things to run smoothly and for the children to feel more confident, we hold a transition week
in July so the children can spend time getting to know their new teacher and classroom. Year 6
transition is ongoing throughout the whole of their final year with visits to career fayres, universities
and also visits from a variety of professionals such as; Olympic athletes, sea cadets, nurses and Zoo
Lab.
Each class has a different focus on Bradford during the spring term; these include gaining knowledge
on Bradford City Football Clubs fire disaster, mills and transport, changing industry in the area and
the Bronte sisters. We have house mornings each half term that are named after Bradfordian people
who have had a positive impact on life today. Each house group takes part in an activity to help develop
their learning and life skills. These activities are covered through library, City Hall and museum visits,
forest school, cooking, IT, art and circus skills workshops.
British Values are promoted throughout the curriculum, and we also have specific events purely based
around these values during our British Values week. Each year group focuses on one of the values
throughout the week and then their work is displayed in our British Values Gallery. We have afternoon
tea, on one of the afternoons, for the whole school, sandwiches, buns and scones are made and served
by children. This is a fantastic opportunity for the children to embrace being British and the values
held by all. The week is topped off with a whole school rendition of the national anthem and parents
are invited to walk around our British Values Gallery of work. This year we are also focusing on British
cities in order for the children to improve their knowledge and understanding of the great cities within
our country and to develop their geography knowledge. Saints Days are covered in Literacy lessons to
also embed British values.
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Our school is taking an active role to become a school of sanctuary for refugees and asylum seekers.
Children are continuing to gain knowledge, empathy and understanding on the unfortunate events taking
place in our world today. Last year, the whole school took part in Refugee Week. Each year group
created a piece of artwork around the theme common ground and shared dreams. The artwork was
then displayed in Kala Sangam for the public to view. Year 1s collective artwork of the dove of peace
was used on flyers and posters to promote the exhibition throughout Bradford. City of Sanctuary
meetings, for schools, are hosted here so that we can share our good practice.
We continually encourage our children to let their voice be heard and to have a say on things that
happen in our school. This is done through our School Council, who have been chosen fairly by children
and staff after applying for the position and being interviewed. The successful applicants then take
suggestions from the children in school on issues such as; changes to school dinners and new equipment
for outdoors. The School Council are also involved in interviewing potential new staff, safeguarding and
attendance, finance and fundraising, healthy lifestyles and health and safety. They then report back
to the rest of the school regularly through School Council assemblies.
Reading
At Fagley Primary, we seek to not simply teach our children to read, but to want to read, to choose to
read and then to love to read. We recognise that building this ethos involves sharing this attitude
across all subjects and all year groups.
Children in our Foundation Stage take part in daily shared reading, in which books, information and
stories are discussed and celebrated. Books are a means for children, especially those with little
English language exposure, to develop their vocabulary and detect sounds and rhythms with the focus
being on the enjoyment of the experience. This is where the love of what books have to offer is born.
Key Stage One empowers our children to want to read. Continuing from Reception, children in Year 1
and 2 have daily phonics lessons which enable them to move to independent reading. This growing
confidence and competence is supported through building on our strong links with parents and carers:
children practise their skills and share books at home. All children have access to good quality and
challenging texts, regardless of their home background.
In Key Stage Two, phonics teaching continues in interventions for those children who have not yet
understood each phase of the Letters and Sounds programme so that all children, regardless of
ability, want to read because they can. Children in Years 3 to 6 also continue to complete a Reading
Record at home to ensure communication continues between school and home. It is in Key Stage Two
where children also learn to choose to read.
Learning at Fagley Primary ensures the children are introduced to rich and varied texts - not just in
English lessons, but throughout the curriculum, including in assemblies. Teaching around these texts
allows children to discuss, embed and apply new vocabulary: books are the vehicles to creating more
articulate learners. Reading for pleasure is developed through Shared Reading sessions in each class in
which teachers, and subsequently children, model stating opinions about texts. Teachers select texts
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to sustain, and in response to, childrens interests. Teachers model reading with expression so that
children understand the expectation during Guided Reading sessions.
interests is also built into weekly library sessions; classroom staff accompany children and ensure
books are chosen for interest yet remain accessible. The library time is an opportunity for children to
engage with books slightly above their independent reading level we allow children to choose to read.
Understanding of what is read is the key to a love of reading. Each class has at least three Guided
Reading sessions per week. Children of all abilities are taught to retrieve information from texts they
can access and analyse information and events. Children who have mastered these skills and have
experienced all we have to offer at Fagley Primary truly do love reading.
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Many of the children who attend our school struggle with Language and Communication skills along with
poor vocabulary. As a result of this, we adopted the Talk for Writing (T4W) approach to bridge the
gap, equipping children not only with an array of text structures but also with the vocabulary and
language which could be applied in different contexts.
Each half term, both a fiction and non-fiction text is taught using the T4W method. Texts are
selected carefully to link into curricular themes. As a whole school, we follow the progression
document published by Pie Corbett (recently updated to fit the new National Curriculum). This
indicates the kind of key language that should be taught in each year group.
Texts are re-written accordingly to feature key learning that is needed based on prior assessment and
known gaps.
Story or text maps are made by the teacher and actions are used to learn the text by heart. This is
appealing to visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners.
Any key language taught has an action. These are displayed in class as a reminder for future learning
and application. Each year, all the displayed actions get passed up along with the class so that the next
teacher can build on that learning.
Children are taught how to innovate the text learnt in order to create a new one. This is done primarily
through shared and guided writing.
Our hope as a school is that children will have a bank of different text structures and vocabulary that
can then be used in the invention stage.
This is where children are able to write an array of texts using what they have learnt along with what
they have picked up through reading.
To heighten the profile of T4W, dedicated class assemblies are held where year groups are
encouraged to share some of their story / text maps and perform the texts learnt. This allows for
both teachers and children to see the impact and progression throughout the life of the school.
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