1. Parents of Galileo, Peake and Winston classes – welcome to Year Six.

2. The Current Year Six Team
Winston
Miss Wilce, Mrs Colegate, Mrs Brown
Peake
Mrs Patel, Mrs Brown and Mrs Alcala
Galileo
Miss Marle and Mrs Stiff
*Mrs Dey and Mrs Macnab will also be teaching Year 6 when covering SLT/ NQT time, CPD and absence

3. Y6 Curriculum English and mathematics daily*
Curriculum: Topic (History, Geography, Art, DT, Music) Science, RE, French, Computing, PSHE and PE.
*Timetabling does change for special events and trips and during creative curriculum and celebration
weeks.

6. Homework Expectations
Regular independent reading – reading aloud and discussing what they have read with an adult is essential. Children should use their Home-school Reading Diaries to record this.
Regular times tables practise and maths tasks to consolidate learning.
Regular grammar skills practise.
Regular spelling investigations and practise.
Reading diaries will be checked regularly.
English and maths tasks will be marked with children in school.

7. Homework Expectations
All homework tasks set on Friday to be completed by the following Wednesday.
Children will be expected to attend “homework catch-up” at lunchtimes if they have not completed their task on time or to a high standard.

8. Presentation and Standards
Always smartly dressed in correct uniform – shirts always tucked in and ties always worn!
Appropriate hair styles and hair accessories.
No nail varnish.
Correct school shoes and appropriate socks.
Correct named PE kit at all times. Earrings must be removed or taped before school on PE days.
Pride in their work (in every subject) and their appearance.

9. Behavioural Expectations
Being polite and respectful at all times to all members of the school community.
Always putting in 100% effort in all
subjects.
Acting as ambassadors of the school and as role models for younger pupils.

10. New School Values:
Kindness
Respect
Honesty
Perseverance
Friendship

11. Prefects
An important role for Year 6 in The Discovery School in order to provide more opportunities for the children to be ambassadors of the school.
Meet and greet, promoting Vision and Values and representing the school at events throughout the year.
Special ties!

12. Rewards Rewards Merit system House Points
Stickers and certificates for excellent work, outstanding effort or demonstrating exceptional manners.
Star of the Week, Discovery Award, DHT/HT’s award.

13. Sanctions
Sanctions
X3 de-merits = teacher’s sanction linked to missing break/ lunch
Parent Contact - if deemed necessary.
In addition, children will also be sent to
Senior Leaders, Deputy Head then the
Headteacher.

14. SATs Tests Week commencing Monday 13th May.
English – SPAG test (spelling, punctuation and grammar).
Reading comprehension test.
Writing – Teacher assessment of writing throughout the year.
Maths – Paper 1 - Arithmetic, Paper 2 and 3 – Reasoning.

15. Provision Maps
Children will receive differentiated provision based on their needs.
Provision will be changed throughout the year.
Most children’s learning needs will be covered through quality first teaching in class.
Provision maps are published on the class web pages.

17. Messages from the Boss!!

18. E-safety and Online Use
Social Media can be a really useful and powerful tool for our parents to communicate with each other. However, please be mindful of it’s use to voice questions and concerns as this can be hurtful to staff, other parents and their children when used ineffectively. Often things can get blown out of proportion on social media, or inaccurate comments become seen as ‘fact’, snowballing anxiety. Coming to speak to us personally is a much more effective way to resolve any queries should you have them. Please also remember that when accompanying us on trips or out of school events, it is not appropriate to post anything on social media. Unfortunately in the past, we have had parents ‘check-in’ to our location, post pictures of their own or friends’ children, or update parents as to the whereabouts of a number of children when leaving an event. Whilst this is always intended positively, it can be a huge safety risk for us as a school and we ask that you trust us and follow this at all times. If any doubt – just ask.  At The Discovery School, we always want to promote the safe and effective use of social media in order to be role models for the children. Our priority is keeping our pupils, staff and parents safe and protected at all times.

19. s
Governors have a duty to ensure that staff keep a good work life balance. Therefore, no s will be answered after 5pm Monday to Friday or at any time during weekends and holidays.
Staff will respond to s within 48 hours. If the appears to be a complex matter, we will invite you to come into school and meet with us.
If your enquiry is urgent please telephone the school office during the school day.

20. Holidays in term time
The following information comes from KCC and applies to all Kent Schools.
From September 2013 the Department for Education amended the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 removing the Head Teacher’s ability to authorise leave of absence for a family holiday.
Regulations only allow the School to authorise absence (leave) in “exceptional circumstances”.
An “exceptional circumstance” would have to be defined as an unavoidable cause e.g., a one-off emergency situation which prevents the child from attending school.
Exceptional circumstances may include:
Family Trauma, serious illness/death of a close relative/person to the family
To attend a wedding of a close person to the family
Attending functions in line with culture and or religion
Where employer stipulates that holiday has to be taken during a set period (letter from employer is required as evidence)

21. What to do if you need to request leave of absence during term time
All requests for leave of absence must be made using the school leave of absence form which must be returned to the school office. ( requests without the correct form and supporting evidence will not be considered)
The School will never normally authorise leave of absence in term time under the following circumstances:
During assessment periods
Where the child is persistently absent, including because of ill health (unless certified by medical evidence), existing attendance record will be considered in making the decision whether to grant the leave e.g. absence will not usually be authorised if it takes a pupil’s absence record below 90%
Leave of absence taken without the School’s permission, or failure to return on the agreed date, will mean that the absence is unauthorised and marked as (G) unauthorised holiday.
The deliberate taking of unauthorised leave in term time may result in parents/carers being liable to a penalty notice.
Leave of absence taken without any notification to the school will be marked as (O) unauthorised absence and may still result in a penalty notice.

22. Lateness
Late arrival in school is very disruptive to the whole class as all lessons start at 9am. Your child may also miss the introduction to the lesson.
School gates open at 8:40am and close at 8:50am.
If your child arrives after the gates are closed, they will be required to sign in at the main school office and provide a reason for their lateness.
Arrival after this time will be marked as late (L)
Arrival after 9am will be marked as an unauthorised late (U)
Persistent lateness will be addressed by the Head Teacher and possibly the Education Welfare Officer.
If you know that your child will be late e.g. a medical appointment, please let the office know so that it can be authorised.

23. 2018/19 Secondary Admissions

24. Key Dates for Parents
Results of the Kent Test will be ed/ posted first class to parents on Thursday 11th October
The deadline for all secondary applications is Wednesday 31st October 2018.
National offer day will be on Friday 1st March You will be sent an from the LA after 4.00pm and letters will be sent on this day by first class post.
Offers should be accepted or declined by Friday 15th March The school recommends that you accept the offer, even if you are appealing for an alternative school place.
The deadline for lodging parent appeals is Friday 29th March 2019.

25. Action to take now
Go online to the KCC information on secondary admissions
and the online admissions site
Visit school open events
Find out more about your preferred schools
Talk to other parents
Talk to us
Ensure you complete your SCAF by the deadline of midnight 31st October!

26. Contact information
Secondary Admissions Team:
School DCSF Number: 886/2065

27. The Y6 Residential trip will take place on Friday 7th – Monday 10th June 2019.

28. Windmill Hill East Sussex

29. Welcome to PGL
The UK’s largest provider of outdoor education for young people
Over 55 years’ experience
Fully risk assessed
LOtC Quality Badge holder
Founding member of BAPA
ABTA bonded
PGL provides a wide range of inspiring residential adventure and educational courses for more than 5,000 groups every year
All PGL centres and activities are risk assessed to comply with legal requirements and best practice. Risk assessments are available by request and on the PGL website
Centres are subject to the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority regulations (AALA) where appropriate
ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) bonded means your money is protected
BAPA – British Activity Providers Association. Responsible for establishing operating guidelines for the activity holiday industry
Through the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge Programme you can be confident that recognised providers fulfil all the necessary criteria as laid down by the DfE, thereby better enabling Party Leaders to manage visits safely, efficiently and beneficially

30. Windmill Hill – East Sussex
LEARNING OUTSIDE
Windmill Hill – East Sussex
23 fantastic adventure activities to choose from
Large indoor sports hall
Lakes for watersports and outdoor heated pool
Explore the 360 Virtual Tour to see inside the centre and view activity information and videos

31. The PGL difference
Dedicated PGL ‘Groupie’ to provide support throughout stay
Tailor-made programmes
All accommodation, food, activities and instruction included
Free evening entertainment
24 hour support from centre team
Each group will have a PGL Groupie who will look after guests for the duration of their stay
All accommodation, food, equipment and instruction is included in the price of the trip
Activities are chosen to suit the requirements of the group
4 x 1 ½ hour activity sessions every day
A full evening entertainment programme run by PGL staff includes discos, talent shows and quizzes

32. Multi-Activity 4 action-packed adventure activity sessions per day
Evening entertainment
Great for personal development & confidence building
Increases motivation & appetite for learning
Benefits of a multi-activity course include:
- improved self confidence
- improved team-building skills
- better peer group relationships
- raised self esteem
- increased motivation

33. Adventure activities Abseiling Climbing Raft Building Aeroball
Eco Trail
Rifle Shooting
All Aboard
Fencing
Sensory Trail
Aquafun
Giant Swing
Sports and Team Games
Archery
Hiking
Trapeze
BMX
Jacob’s Ladder
Tunnel Trail
Canoeing
Orienteering
Zip Wire
Challenge Course
Problem Solving
The activities shown offer individual as well as team challenges
Activities are designed to encourage new skills and develop existing ones
Specific activities can be requested (though not guaranteed) and the programme is discussed on arrival at the centre

34. Evening entertainment
50/50
Karaoke
Ambush
Passport to the World
Space Hopper Football
Battle of Windmill Hill
Quiz
Campfire
Robot Wars
Top Gear
Capture the Flag
Scrapheap Challenge
Ultimate Frisbee
Casino Night
Shoe Golf
Wacky Races
Disco
Snapchat Challenge

35. Accommodation Lodges – en suite rooms sleep 5-6
Accommodation for Windmill Hill can be viewed in the 360 virtual tour:
The centre can accommodate 445 guests at a time with accommodation in the our purpose-built lodges.
Teachers are usually accommodated in twin rooms with en suite and hot drink facilities
All rooms are lockable (party leader given master key)
All exterior doors and gates are locked at night but can be opened from the inside in an emergency without the need for unlocking
A PGL staff member is available on duty throughout the night (contactable by phone)
The extensive facilities (other than activity bases) are available to your group during free time

36. Facilities Heated outdoor swimming pool On-site adventure activities
2000m2 sports hall
Disco
Indoor games / recreation area
Shop
Sports pitches
Classrooms / meeting rooms
Purpose-built BMX track

37. Catering and dietary needs
3 nutritious, balanced meals per day
Self-service salad bar
Vegetarian option
Special diets catered for by prior arrangement
Sample menus available online:
We continually invest in healthy menus with freshly cooked ingredients obtained from fully traceable audited suppliers
Processed food is avoided and meals meet Local Authority guidelines
There will be hot and cold options available at every meal
At lunch and dinner the buffet includes a salad bar and mixed fruit basket plus hot and cold drinks
Our caterers can deal with most dietary requirements but please ensure the party leader is aware of any dietary requirements well in advance
More food is always available if required

38. Health & safety
The PGL Code of Practice describes all safety and operational procedures both on and off-site including:
Please see Code of Practice for further detail
All centres and activities are fully risk assessed every year
The PGL Code of Practice details all the control measures put in place to minimise risk
Sample risk assessments are available on line and specific assessments are available from PGL on request
Staff-to-pupil ratios comply with recognised industry standards
Operating procedures all comply with recognised industry standards and National Governing Body guidelines where these are relevant
PGL recruitment officers have extensive experience at a senior level on centre and make selections based on a detailed application form
Two formal written references are taken and applicants have to provide documentary evidence of all qualifications claimed
All offers of employment are subject to DBS checks, the successful completion of pre-employment training and a favourable probationary period
All our instructors are specifically trained for our programmes to ensure the delivery of safe and rewarding sessions across a wide range of activities
At every PGL centre there is an experienced and professional Centre Manager (supported by Senior Staff) who is in charge of centre operations and has overall responsibility for the success of the course and the performance of our staff
It is the policy of PGL to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and security of all guests and staff on our centres (details in Code of Practice)
Each centre has at least two First Aid staff who hold the “First Aid at Work” qualification and in addition all our instructors and group leaders complete an 8 hour first aid course. Party Leaders and teachers will ultimately remain responsible for the administration of first aid to their party members
There are rigorous general accident and emergency procedures in place
Through the Quality Badge Programme you can be confident that recognised providers fulfil all the necessary criteria as laid down by the DfE, thereby better enabling Party Leaders to manage visits safely, efficiently and beneficially
Sample risk assessments
Site security
Staff-to-pupil ratios
First Aid procedures
Operating procedures
Emergency procedures
Staff vetting & training

39.
Please see Code of Practice for further detail
All centres and activities are fully risk assessed every year
The PGL Code of Practice details all the control measures put in place to minimise risk
Sample risk assessments are available on line and specific assessments are available from PGL on request
Staff-to-pupil ratios comply with recognised industry standards
Operating procedures all comply with recognised industry standards and National Governing Body guidelines where these are relevant
PGL recruitment officers have extensive experience at a senior level on centre and make selections based on a detailed application form
Two formal written references are taken and applicants have to provide documentary evidence of all qualifications claimed
All offers of employment are subject to DBS checks, the successful completion of pre-employment training and a favourable probationary period
All our instructors are specifically trained for our programmes to ensure the delivery of safe and rewarding sessions across a wide range of activities
At every PGL centre there is an experienced and professional Centre Manager (supported by Senior Staff) who is in charge of centre operations and has overall responsibility for the success of the course and the performance of our staff
It is the policy of PGL to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and security of all guests and staff on our centres (details in Code of Practice)
Each centre has at least two First Aid staff who hold the “First Aid at Work” qualification and in addition all our instructors and group leaders complete an 8 hour first aid course. Party Leaders and teachers will ultimately remain responsible for the administration of first aid to their party members
There are rigorous general accident and emergency procedures in place
Through the Quality Badge Programme you can be confident that recognised providers fulfil all the necessary criteria as laid down by the DfE, thereby better enabling Party Leaders to manage visits safely, efficiently and beneficially

40.
Please see Code of Practice for further detail
All centres and activities are fully risk assessed every year
The PGL Code of Practice details all the control measures put in place to minimise risk
Sample risk assessments are available on line and specific assessments are available from PGL on request
Staff-to-pupil ratios comply with recognised industry standards
Operating procedures all comply with recognised industry standards and National Governing Body guidelines where these are relevant
PGL recruitment officers have extensive experience at a senior level on centre and make selections based on a detailed application form
Two formal written references are taken and applicants have to provide documentary evidence of all qualifications claimed
All offers of employment are subject to DBS checks, the successful completion of pre-employment training and a favourable probationary period
All our instructors are specifically trained for our programmes to ensure the delivery of safe and rewarding sessions across a wide range of activities
At every PGL centre there is an experienced and professional Centre Manager (supported by Senior Staff) who is in charge of centre operations and has overall responsibility for the success of the course and the performance of our staff
It is the policy of PGL to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and security of all guests and staff on our centres (details in Code of Practice)
Each centre has at least two First Aid staff who hold the “First Aid at Work” qualification and in addition all our instructors and group leaders complete an 8 hour first aid course. Party Leaders and teachers will ultimately remain responsible for the administration of first aid to their party members
There are rigorous general accident and emergency procedures in place
Through the Quality Badge Programme you can be confident that recognised providers fulfil all the necessary criteria as laid down by the DfE, thereby better enabling Party Leaders to manage visits safely, efficiently and beneficially

41. Payments
The total cost of the trip including transport will be approximately £230.
An initial deposit of £30 is due on Wednesday 19th September.
A payment plan will be finalised once we know numbers and have secured the trip with the initial deposit.

42. Thank you for coming!
Any questions?