Extra-curricular activities and Breakfast Club
Northwood Primary School
Northwood Place
Yarnton Way
Erith
Kent
DA18 4HN
Tel: 020 8310 2722
Fax: 020 8310 7245
e-mail: admin.northwood.bexley@lgfl.net
Head Teacher: Mrs R. Medhurst
Deputy Head: Miss C. McNulty
Chair of Governors: Mr A Reeves
Northwood is a community primary school for children aged 5-11, maintained by the London Borough of Bexley. The school opened in 1979 and is situated at the eastern end of Thamesmead. The building and grounds are attractive and well maintained.
The present head and deputy came to the school in 1995, since when they have worked as a team with the three core subject co-ordinators and the whole staff to build a successful school. The 1999 OFSTED report was very favourable, and Northwood is proud that currently the school has Beacon status.
The vision of the school is “to advance the achievement of all pupils and the enrichment of their education”, with the “recognition that it is the determination and skill of staff which will enable that vision to be realised”. This genuinely describes what the school is like. Everyone is explicit about the importance of learning. Good teaching and teamwork are at the heart of our success so far, and our plans for the future.
Years R, 1 & 2 8.55 to 12.00 1:05 to 3:00
Years 3 to 6 8.55 to 12.30 1.20 to 3.00
For term dates please click on this link.
Aims of Northwood School
At Northwood we believe that school can make a difference to children. We aim to provide a caring, happy atmosphere and welcoming environment in which children are given every encouragement to become confident learners.
We aim to maximise the skills and commitment of staff, parents and governors to work as a team, sharing values, aims and strategies. We maintain a reflective approach towards school development.
We offer a broad curriculum, including and extending beyond the National Curriculum. Our main focus is on teaching and learning, with high expectations of children's achievement, differentiation to build on individual development, and equality of opportunity to ensure full access to the curriculum for all pupils, whatever their gender, race, background, or special need.
Children are encouraged to be self-motivated, to persevere, and to build on success as well as to learn from mistakes. We also help them to develop social skills which will enable them to work co-operatively, with discipline and respect for others, and to value the community of the school.
All staff work as part of a team to ensure that standards of discipline are maintained. Their approach is, wherever possible, positive. This is reflected in the value given to the ‘Northwood School Good Book' which is displayed in the entrance hall. Careful attention is paid to creating a positive ethos in the school.
The school has a Code of Conduct , devised by the whole community of adults and children. Parents' support is a vital part of maintaining high standards of behaviour as well as work. In applying for a place for your child at Northwood you are officially accepting this prospectus, including the code, which is printed here:
Think of others, be nice, and share games in the playground.
Never fight or bully.
Never spoil someone else's chance to learn.
Work as hard as you can so that you learn as much as you can.
Tell an adult if you have a problem.
Speak nicely to others, without shouting or swearing.
Listen when people are talking.
Walk carefully when you are inside the school, and play safely when you are outside.
Look after the school and help to keep it looking nice.
Look good yourself: wear your correct uniform with no jewellery.
Children at Northwood School pass through Foundation Stage (Reception class), Key Stages One and Two. At Northwood School children are organised into seven mixed ability classes as follows:-
Foundation Stage |
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Reception |
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4-5 years |
Key Stage One |
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Year1 |
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5-6 years |
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Year 2 |
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6-7 years |
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Year 3 |
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7-8 years |
Key Stage Two |
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Year 4 |
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8-9 years |
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Year 5 |
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9-10 years |
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Year 6 |
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10-11 years |
Within classes, children are grouped according to the task in hand. For some activities grouping is by ability; for others mixed ability grouping is used.
At Northwood School the children study a broad and balanced curriculum encompassing all subjects outlined in the National Curriculum.
Core subjects |
Foundation subjects |
Mathematics |
Design Technology |
English |
ICT |
Science |
History |
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Geography |
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Art and design |
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Music |
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PE |
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Citizenship |
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For information on the National Curriculum please visit the National Curriculum website: http://www.nc.uk.net
Children also benefit from lessons in PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) and Philosophy.
The Bexley Agreed Syllabus is used to plan RE lessons.
Collective worship takes place every day. Our programme of assemblies is planned to complement the curriculum, as well as more than fulfilling our legal obligations. All teachers contribute, and we appreciate regular participation by local clergy. Topics for Assembly are wide ranging but all seek to assist children's development spiritually, morally and philosophically.
Alternative arrangements are made for children of those parents who have requested withdrawal from RE and / or collective worship.
Northwood School has a policy of providing Personal and Social Education up to and including Year 4.
In Years 5 & 6 pupils are taught about puberty, and pregnancy & birth. Girls are given information about menstruation separately. Our school nurse comes into school to deliver these special sessions to the children. Our aims are to help children cope with the challenges of growing up, to complement and support parents in giving sex education, and to encourage self-respect and responsibility towards others in the context of family life. The full policy is available for parents to see, and parents will be informed before the Year 5/6 programme is introduced.
At parents' request pupils may be withdrawn from sex education lessons, though not from National Curriculum science lessons which will cover the biology of life and living processes. We do urge you to discuss any concerns you may have with the school, and then if you wish to withdraw your child, please confirm in writing to the Head Teacher.
Nationally about 1 in 5, and at Northwood about 1 in 3 children, need extra help at some time in their school life for a learning need, a physical need, or an emotional/behavioural need.
There is a national Code of Practice which lays down different stages in providing for these needs. Early identification of needs is important, and children are assessed early in their first term, partly by the “BASICS” assessments used for 5 year olds in Bexley, and partly by teacher assessment. Teachers often provide extra support in the classroom. There is also a part-time teacher at Northwood who provides extra help for a number of pupils.
In some cases support from one of the school's ancillary helpers is used as well. An Educational Psychologist visits the school termly to advise on additional needs. Parents are always consulted when extra help is considered.
When considering gifted and talented children at Northwood, we look at the whole child. A child who shows a gift or talent in Linguistics, Numeracy, PE, Art, Music, Social or Personal areas are extended throughout the school.
The school has a homework policy: depending on their age children will be given Maths homework and spellings to learn at home.
The school runs a home reading scheme called PACT (Parents And Children Together). Children bring home books either to read to someone at home, or to have read to them. A book is provided to share comments on progress between parents and teachers. We do encourage participation in PACT because it really makes a big difference to children's progress and pleasure in reading.
Children may also be asked to complete work at home. Sometimes special work is set for the school holidays.
Extra-curricular activities and Breakfast Club
Instrumental lessons in clarinet, flute, brass, violin and viola are provided for about 18 children a year by Bexley Music Centre, from whom instruments are hired.
Sports club meets weekly after school. Swimming is part of the curriculum for Years 4, 5 & 6, and the school takes part in galas annually.
A gardening club is organised during Friday lunch time by volunteer parents.
Northwood School has a Breakfast Club which children can use for one hour before school each day. The club is open from 7:55 a.m. until 8:55 a.m. Monday to Friday.
We do aim to be flexible about how parents use the breakfast club. Children may attend every morning if you wish, but if you would prefer to use the club on an occasional basis, then this is fine too.
The charge for breakfast club is currently £ 1-50 per morning. Money should be paid either on a daily basis, or in advance for the week or month if you prefer.
Children can choose from:
Cereal plus toast and jam
or Scrambled egg on toast
or Beans on toast
There is also a choice of orange juice, apple juice, blackcurrant squash or milk to drink.
There are plenty of activities to occupy the children with board games, colouring activities, books, music and television.
When your child comes to Breakfast Club you should bring them to the main entrance of the school and ring the bell to the right of the door, marked “Breakfast Club”. Children must not be left at the gate or in the playground.
If you would like your child to come to Breakfast Club you should complete and return a registration form. Places are limited, so if the club is full names are placed on a waiting list and we will let you know as soon as we are able to take them.
The welfare and safety of the children are as essential as their learning.
There is no vehicle access to the car park at the beginning and end of the day to avoid traffic risk. At other times only one pedestrian gate will be open, and visitors have to ring at the door for admittance to the school, to reduce the risk of intruders.
We have fire drills and health & safety inspections every term.
Coaches for swimming and educational visits are all fitted with seat-belts.
We are informed via a “school watch” network if there are suspicious incidents at other schools in the area; if appropriate information will be passed on to parents.
We are also conscious of the importance of training children in personal safety, which includes road and rail safety, stranger danger, and drug safety education.
We aim to be alert to any concerns about child protection. Should you want a relative or friend to collect your child we ask that you let us know in advance. Occasionally school safety measures may be inconvenient, e.g. checking on friends or relatives collecting children who we don't recognize, but we are sure parents will appreciate that they are in the best interests of the children.
Please note however that the school is not insured or liable for the loss of valuables, so children should not bring such items to school.
Parents' evenings are arranged each term, when children's work and progress can be discussed with the class teacher. In the summer term parents will also receive their child's annual report. Parents are encouraged to keep in contact with the teacher throughout the year, either in person or by using the PACT/contact book. The Head Teacher or Deputy Head are always in the playground in the ten minutes before school starts in the morning. We are convinced that good communication between home and school helps children settle and progress.
Parents are able to contribute to the work of the school in a number of ways, and we are delighted by the offer of time and skills by parents:
The Governing Body includes 4 parent governors, and vacancies arise from time to time.
Parents are encouraged to join FANS (Friends and Associates of Northwood School), which provides much appreciated support for the school with fund-raising and other activities.
During the year teachers may organise visits to support an area of the curriculum. These range from walks around the local area to trips to London . Sometimes voluntary contributions are sought from parents and enable certain additional activities to take place. Without these contributions these activities could not go ahead.
A residential trip is also organised once a year for years 5 & 6. This is usually to the Arethusa Centre near Rochester , where children have the opportunities to try various activities they would not normally be able to try. Details are available in school of a Bexley charity that can sometimes help with small grants towards the cost of our school journey.
At the request of parents, and with their support, a form of simple and sensible school dress has been adopted. The uniform colours are grey trousers or skirt, white shirts and navy-blue sweatshirts. A “Northwood” sweatshirt can be purchased from the school, as can a school bookbag. Children must wear suitable and safe footwear (not trainers). They also need to have a PE kit of white t-shirt and blue shorts, together with plimsolls. A full list of uniform is available to all new parents. Children should not wear jewellery on the grounds of health and safety. We take great pride in our uniform and certificates are awarded each term to those children who have worn the correct uniform each day.
If a child misses school for any reason we request a telephone call or verbal message from a parent on the first day of absence. This is important not only for our records, but to ensure the safety of your child. A written note to explain the absence should be sent on the child's return to school.
Parents need to seek permission from the school if they wish to take their child out of school for a holiday during term time. A maximum of ten days may be allowed, if this is unavoidable. At the end of the school year each child's report will provide information about their rate of absence and punctuality. To encourage full attendance, certificates are presented to children who have 100% attendance and punctuality each half term. Our Educational Welfare Officer visits the school regularly, and is able to offer help and advice on all matters relating to attendance and welfare.
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Children become of compulsory school age at the beginning of the term that follows their fifth birthday. However, in Bexley, children are offered the opportunity of starting school earlier than this. Children born between 1 September 1999 and 28 February 2000 (inclusive) can start in September 2004. Children born between 1 March 2000 and 31 August 2000 (inclusive) can start in January 2005.
To make an application for a school place you will need to obtain an application form from any Bexley primary school. The forms are also available from the Admissions Team at Hill View, Welling , Kent . You can nominate up to three primary schools, in order of preference, on the application form, but you should not nominate a school unless you would be willing to accept a place for your child there. By applying for a school you are accepting what is described in the prospectus. You should complete and return the application form to the school of your first preference by February 27th 2004. You will be allocated a place at the school of your first preference if it is at all possible. You and your child will be invited to the school for a visit in the term prior to admission.
Documentation and curriculum complaints procedure
Copies of documents available for parents to read are kept for consultation in the school office. These include National Curriculum documents and policies and the LEA Complaints Procedure. Initially all comments, compliments or complaints should be made to the Headteacher, and every effort will be made to respond appropriately.