School Information
We hope that you are able to find all the information you need about our school on our website.
Below are few links to some areas that you may be looking for:
Child Protection
The safety and well-being of your children are our top priority and we are committed to working with other agencies to ensure all children are kept free from harm. A copy of our Child Protection policy can be viewed under policies.
We have four Designated Safeguarding Officers in school who would be happy to talk to you about any safeguarding concerns you may have.
Ms Smailes, Miss Powell, Ms Pullar and Mr Cumpstey
You can access us directly through dsl@rustington.academy or you can phone the office to make an appointment to meet with us.
We are one of the schools taking part in Operation Encompass. This is a liaison between the school and the Police – the Police notify the school when a child has been involved in or exposed to domestic abuse. This information enables us to support both the child and their family.
Behaviour and safety
We take great pride in our children’s behaviour. We like to think that our strong home-school partnership plays a major part in encouraging the highest standards of learning behaviour. Our school’s Restorative Behaviour Policy, Life Skills Curriculum and Core Values ensure we have a consistent focus on positive values and a clear model of expected conduct.
Anti Bullying
Bullying is not an acceptable or inevitable part of growing up and it will not be tolerated. Our Anti-Bullying Policy sets out all we do to prevent bullying, as well as responding appropriately when we suspect that negative behaviour is being targeted at individuals or groups. We hold an Anti Bullying Week every year and we hope everyone in our school community feels able to speak up and speak out against bullying.
Online Safety
We try to keep your children safe from cyber-bullying, protect them from harmful or illegal content and teach them to be responsible cyber-citizens. In this increasingly digital world, these essential life-skills cannot be overlooked or taken for granted. We recommend the Childnet resources for parents as a very useful starting point when discussing online safety at home.
We send monthly information to parents to keep you informed of the latest information about keeping your child safe online.
You can access the latest articles here https://rustington.academy/E-safety
GDPR
The ‘General Data Protection Regulation’ (GDPR) changed how we can use your personal data and keep it safe, and it also strengthened your rights over your own data.
The change was to make sure sensitive or private information about yourselves and your children stays safe. Whilst it is similar to the current Data Protection Act in many ways, there are a few differences.:
Any request for information regarding a child, parent or member of staff, cannot be given without us being confident of the identity of the person asking for it, that means that you may be asked for information that verifies who you are if you ask for information over the phone or by email.
A video explaining GDPR can be found on YouTube via the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua_LzUJ_wu8
We have updated our privacy notice, a copy of which can be found at the bottom of this page. You may also be interested to read Schoolsworks policies for Data Protection, ICT and Acceptable Use, Photo Policy, Staff and Pupil privacy, which can be found following https://www.schoolsworks.org/ .If you unable to access the policies online, you may request a copy from the school office.
If you have any questions about how the GDPR affects you, or how our school is preparing, you can contact Louise Pope, our Data Protection Officer, by calling 01903 729988, or emailing her at dpo@schoolsworks.org.
SEND
Our Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Offer
At Rustington Community Primary School we welcome everyone into our school community. We work as a team to ensure that all pupils are able to access the National Curriculum at an appropriate level and achieve their full potential. The children at the school who have a SEND make good progress.
Does my child have a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND)?
The children at Rustington Community Primary School are assessed on a regular basis against the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the National Curriculum. Children that are identified as having a significant difference to the expected levels of progress are then observed, monitored and assessed individually to identify any specific needs they may have which will then be supported by appropriate interventions. A collaborative decision will be made led by informed assessments and advice taken from parents, staff and outside agencies (where appropriate) to structure the support given to your child.
Children who transfer from other schools will be assessed by the class teacher who will also use previous school records (including any previous history of special needs) to identify individual children’s starting points. Parents and carers are an important part of this approach and good communication between home and school is vital. If you are concerned about your child, then talking to your child’s class teacher would be the first step.
The curriculum is carefully differentiated to meet the needs of all children from the high achieving to those with learning needs or for those who have English as an additional language. This will enable all pupils to access the curriculum, make progress and achieve their full potential.
Some children may need more support than others to access the National Curriculum at an appropriate level. Some pupils may only require slight adaptations of the curriculum and others may benefit from small group interventions. Class teachers work closely with the Assistant Head Teacher - Inclusion to oversee and plan your child’s education programme. You will be consulted and kept informed of any interventions that your child will receive. If your child needs an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), this will be reviewed on a termly basis with you and your child. Some children with more complex educational needs may require an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which will be reviewed regularly and progress will be monitored by the Local Educational Authority Special Educational Needs & Assessment Team (SENAT).
All of the teaching and support staff have been trained in assisting children who have varied special educational needs and disabilities.
Children’s progress is monitored and discussed regularly to ensure that they are making progress.
Support and interventions offered:
- Speech & Language;
- School Start;
- Memory Magic (working memory support);
- Social Communication development;
- Literacy support;
- Phonics support;
- Mathematics support;
- Toe By Toe (syllabic literacy programme);
- Jump Ahead (gross/fine motor skill development;
- Speed Up (to support handwriting); and
- Typing skills;
How will the School let me know how my child is progressing?
Regular consultation evenings are arranged to discuss your child’s progress and learning with the class teacher. As a school with a genuine open door policy you can always make an appointment to speak to your child’s class teacher, head teacher or assistant head teacher - inclusion to discuss your child’s progress.
How will Rustington Primary School support my child’s overall wellbeing?
Many members of staff are trained first aiders and staff receive appropriate training for any specific medical conditions (including those who deal specifically with Early Years. Medicines can be given by the school as long as appropriate forms have been completed. Individualised care plans tailored to your child’s own needs will be co-produced with you, your child and any outside agencies as appropriate.
Behavioural expectations in the school are high; all children are treated with respect and are expected to treat others with respect.
Our Nurture Mentor and Nurture Ninjas (who are staff trained in mental health awareness) provide one to one and group sessions, focusing on emotional support rather than educational issues. These may to do with home life such as bereavement and divorce; or in-school concerns including friendship, anger management and transition.
How will my child be included in activities outside the classroom including school trips?
Our school is fully inclusive and all school activities and visits are accessible by all pupils. Group and individualised risk assessments are devised in consultation with the children and parents as appropriate.
Volunteers are welcomed in the school subject to the appropriate checks.
How accessible is the setting school environment?
Rustington Primary School is wheelchair accessible and we have disabled toilet access. A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is developed for any pupils with accessibility difficulties.
How does Rustington Community Primary School support children transferring into and out of the school?
Transition arrangements in joining and leaving Rustington Community Primary School are well planned, and you and your child will be well supported. Children joining in reception are given many opportunities before starting school to familiarise themselves with the school and the class teacher. When leaving the school at the end of year 6 children have the opportunity to visit their new schools and transition programmes can be individualised if appropriate. Yearly transitions are also supported, and fully tailored to individual need.
How can I be involved in school?
The school encourages full participation in the life of the school. Volunteers are always welcome in the classroom, see the Office for more information. Newsletters give information about events happening in the school.
Who can I contact for further information?
The school office would be the first point of contact in the school. An appointment with the class teacher, assistant head teacher – inclusion or the head teacher will allow you to discuss any concerns you may have about your child.
Our S.E.N.D. information is also designed to answer some of the questions parents/carers may have.
Who can I contact if I have a complaint?
As above, an appointment with the class teacher, assistant head teacher or the head teacher will allow you to discuss the nature of your complaint, and we will work quickly to resolve any concerns or issues.
For further information or advice, please contact Mrs Holden our Assistant Head Teacher – Inclusion ( Inclusion includes SEND Co-ordinator) via the office.
Complaints
If you have any worries or concerns, your first point of contact will usually be your child’s Class Teacher.
Should you wish to take a matter further, it should be referred to one of our Assistant Head Teachers, the Deputy Headteacher or Headteacher.
In the unlikely event that you are still not satisfied with the outcome of a meeting, you are then at liberty to write to the SCC, expressing a wish to formalise your complaint.
Our Trust Policy can be viewed here or a paper copy can be requested at the School Office:
https://www.schoolsworks.org/Policies/
You can also refer a complaint to the Board of Trustees at Schoolsworks, whose contact details can be found here.