Loanends Prospectus 23/24

Homework Homework is a feature of a child’s time at Loanends. It is our policy that a regular homework discipline should be established from the first year at school. It is vital that the good habit of a period of quiet work done at home is established early. This will be of increasing importance throughout your child’s primary and secondary education. We consider that homework is also a helpful way to involve parents in their child’s education as it provides an opportunity to see and understand the type of work being done in class and how the child is coping. The content of homework will vary but will often include reading and spellings. Some homework may be of a research type encouraging and developing information seeking and retrieving skills. Written homeworks are set regularly across the curriculum. There is a reward system in KS2. Please ensure that the homework is carefully set out, neatly presented and signed. The amount of time expected to be spent on homework will vary from about ten minutes in the early stages to approximately forty-five minutes at the senior end of the school. The Homework Policy was updated in January 2022 is available to all parents. or complete the homework activity onscreen. Teachers can comment on submissions made by pupils, thus providing immediate feedback and encouragement. Extra-Curricular Activities Extra-curricular activities are an important part of the life of the school and help develop relationships, social and sporting skills and engender a sense of community. Teachers willingly give of their time to provide a variety of interesting, fun and challenging activities. These activities vary from year to year and may include: Once a week, homework is assigned using the Seesaw App. Pupils either complete their homework and upload a photograph to their digital folder

Drugs Education Policy In accordance with Government requirements, the school has a policy relating to drug education, last updated in September 2023. This element of the curriculum is taught within PDMU as children learn to value and maintain their health and be familiar with the preventative curriculum. A distinction is made between prescribed drugs and others. For reasons of health and safety, children should not bring any form of medication to school without the agreement of the parents and Principal. Arrangements for the safe-keeping and administering of medicines can usually be made. Parents should note that only essential medicines will be administered by the Appointed Teacher, during school hours. Alternatively, parents are welcome to visit the school and administer medicine to their child if they wish. Please ask for our separate policy document. The Governors and staff will not condone the possession or use of illicit drugs on school premises and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken. The Governors will regard the use or misuse of drugs as a very serious offence and may suspend those involved. Staff will continue to be alert to the risks and signs of such drugs both amongst pupils and their parents or guardians.

Healthy Eating Loanends Primary School actively encourages pupils to eat healthily and exercise regularly. We encourage parents to send healthy breaks and lunches with their children. Our aim is to discourage the eating of crisps and confectionery. Our school cook provides a different bread product or fruit each day at the cost of 30p. • Milk and Water • Any fruit or vegetables – no dried fruit (the consumption of dried fruit can contribute to tooth decay). Tinned fruit is acceptable in natural/its own juice rather than syrup. • Any bread product from the following list: Examples: Sandwich, Wheaten, Soda, Potato Bread, Pitta Bread, Tortilla Wraps, Bread Muffin, Crumpets. Spread butter or fat spreads thinly. Avoid sugary spread e.g. jam, marmalade, honey or chocolate spread. We would appreciate your support in implementing this policy. The School has a separate Food in Schools Policy. Our Healthy Break encourages only the following foods and drinks to be taken at break time.

Arts and Crafts

Dodgeball

Gardening

Choir

Drama

Hockey Jujitsu

Coding Club

Eco Club

Cookery

First Aid Tag Rugby

Cycling Proficiency Football

Netball

Loanends Primary School Prospectus 2023-24

School Council/Digital Leaders/KS2 House System Pupils are given a number of different opportunities to undertake responsibilities and develop their teamwork skills whilst making positive and valuable contributions to school life. These positions are voted for by the pupils themselves and underline the importance of giving the pupils a voice. Complaints Should any cause for concern arise during the time your child is with us about our curriculum provision or any other matter, it should be communicated to the class teacher in the first instance, then the Key Stage Coordinator and finally the Principal. The school has a specific policy relating to the Complaints Procedure. Copies of all documentation and policies in connection with Northern Ireland Curriculum 2007 may be consulted by arrangement with the Principal. Copies will be made available free of charge. Parent, Teachers and Friends Association (PTAFA) All parents are encouraged to become members of the Parent, Teacher and Friends Association while their children attend Loanends. The school has been very fortunate to have been supported in many ways by the PTAFA over the years. Tremendous efforts are put into fund raising activities and as a result, there is an excellent range of equipment and resources available to support our work.

Loanends Primary School Prospectus 2023-24

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