Below are some of the main sections of the Primary school handbook.
Click here for the primary handbook

Positive Discipline scheme

The school philosophy on discipline is one of positive reinforcement rather than punitive consequences.
The discipline at primary level is firm but friendly. We work on the premise that if children are so busy concentrating on earning merit awards and commendations, then they don’t have time for other behaviours! The system has been devised therefore to reward positive behaviour and to encourage the children to take ownership and eventually manage poor behaviours successfully. This is affected in a number of ways.

Merit system/Commendations

• Each week classroom teachers identify two merit winners (4 house points each); two good conduct winners (4 house points each), and a superstar (6 house points) from their class. These names are read out in the Tuesday assembly together with the relevant houses. All house points go towards the individual house totals and are updated weekly.
• All teachers award yellow commendation cards throughout the day (1 house point) that are posted in the house boxes and added to the weekly totals.
• Weekly house totals, cumulative totals and house positions are shared with the children every Tuesday.

Golden Book

Children who exhibit exemplary behaviour above normal expectations are nominated for the Golden Book. Inclusion in this book entitles a child to 10 house points and a certificate, which is presented in assembly.

Demerit system

• Children receive demerits for poor behaviour, being unprepared for class, and breaking school rules. They are given three warnings and then receive the demerit.
• The teacher completes a demerit slip and the child comes to the office to record the demerit in the demerit book.
• The slip is signed by office staff and then goes home for the parent to see. It should be signed by a parent and returned to school
• Demerits are then deducted from house totals. They are read out in assembly as a number. Please note that at no time will a child’s name be associated in assembly with a demerit.

Other Award schemes

Other award schemes are implemented in each classroom. These take several forms, depending on the teacher. The outcome, however, remains the same, in that positive behaviour is rewarded.

Golden Time

To reward the children who have worked well during the week, each classroom teacher holds a “Golden Time”. Golden Time takes place at the same time every week and is scheduled to last for about between 20 and 30 minutes. During this time, the class will have free directed activity, or are engaged in productive activities endorsed by the teacher.

Daily Report

• Should a child experience a prolonged problem with their behaviour at any time, teachers will inform the Head of Primary. Parents will be contacted with a view to involving them in the solution.
• This might take the form of a Daily Report. The Daily Report serves to monitor behaviour throughout the day, which is divided into “manageable segments”. (8:25-10:30; 10:30-12:20; 12:20-1:20; 1:20-hometime)
• All teachers are involved in this process. The Daily Report goes home every night for parents to read and sign.
• A reward system is devised between school and home to encourage the child to model acceptable behaviour.
• The Daily Report system is designed to be a positive experience for the child and in no way is to be seen as a punishment.

Code of Conduct

• Guided by teachers, the children have devised their own Code of Conduct.
• Together they have listed behaviours that reflect a good Warwick Academy student.
• These have been compiled into booklet form and reproduced as posters to be displayed around the school.

While the school makes every effort to encourage each child to exhibit positive behaviours, in the past, there have been some for whom this school has not been a good match. Should this be the case, the school will ask that the child be withdrawn. This is clearly stated in the contract.
Expectations for acceptable behaviour are laid out in the “Rules” section of this handbook.

Reporting and Assessment Policy

Primary children are assessed in the following ways. Cumulative assessment takes place in tandem with the teaching. As units of work are completed, the children are tested on that particular unit. Throughout the year there will be other tests that may serve to check that children are retaining the concepts taught. These will vary from year group to year group.

In year 1, the children are constantly monitored within the first seven weeks of the first term. This serves to identify children’s specific strengths and needs and helps to inform the educational planning. The teacher can also evaluate the effectiveness of teaching strategies over a period of time by continuous assessment.

There are standardised reading tests that are administered to the Y3’s to Y6’s in October and May of each school year. These tests are scored according to each child’s age on the day that they took the test. These raw scores are then “normed” which provides the classroom teacher with a reading age. The data from these tests are used to track each child’s reading progress, for reporting purposes and also to alert teachers to the need for intervention if necessary.

A curriculum-based test is also administered to the Y3’s and Y6’s at the end of each school year. In addition, the Year 6 children will take a standardized multiple-choice aptitude test in the second term. This test gives them a chance to show what they know and how well they can think in terms of numbers, words, figures and symbols. Two scholarships are awarded on the results of this test.

There are three formal reporting periods throughout the school year. In December (first term) and June (third term) parents will receive a fully comprehensive written report on their child’s progress in all subjects. In February/March (second term), parents will be invited to an individual parent-teacher conference to discuss their child’s progress. The outcome will be documented and placed on each child’s file.

Please note that the Music, PE/Health and Swimming Programmes will be taking place across all three sessions.

Recess and Lunch

The children will be encouraged to eat fruit only at Recess.

The school is committed to promoting nutritionally balanced meals packaged in environmentally sound containers at lunch times. Parents please support us - no junk food and no trash.

Recess and lunch will be eaten outside at the lunch tables. In inclement weather the children will eat and drink in their classrooms.

Primary Department Uniforms

Please Note: All uniform supplies may be purchased from The English Sports Shop. White shirts, Khaki or Grey Shorts/Pants may be purchased elsewhere, but the Blue Dresses, Winter Tunics, Sweaters, Cardigans and Y6 Navy Skirt/Shorts must be purchased from our supplier.

It has also been agreed that children may wear the close fitting bodysuit type swimwear designed to protect children from harmful rays. Available from the school stock room.

Notes:

• Hair ribbons/clips/bands must be white, light blue (summer) or navy (winter). Pierced earring may be worn but small plain gold studs only please.
• Ties must be worn to and from school. Skirts must be worn no shorter than 2 inches measured from the centre of the knee.
• Regulation cardigans may be worn from P1-P5 only. (for P6 either cardigan or v-necked is permitted.)
• School Ties $6.00, School Crest $5.00 available from September.
• Hats are now mandatory and may be purchased from the stock room.
  
  

ALL ARTICLES OF CLOTHING AND ANY OTHER BELONGINGS MUST BE CLEARLY NAMED.

Summer uniform is worn from September – November, and from May – June. Winter uniform is worn from November – April.

All children in Y4-6 must have the regulation gym clothes in school from Monday to Friday. Children will change into this uniform before each gym lesson and back into their regular uniform at the end of the gym period. If a child has a lesson that ends at 3:25 p.m., they may wear the gym uniform home unless they are traveling on public transport. In which case, it is mandatory that each child be wearing the correct outer school uniform.

Y1-3 children may wear their gym uniform to school on gym days. In cooler months they may also wear the Warwick Academy tracksuit.

An exception to this rule applies when children are representing the school. If the event is a whole day affair (viz zone sports etc.) the child may come to school in P.E. uniform. In the cooler months, children may wear the regulation Warwick Academy tracksuit when representing the school.

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