About Our School

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History

School Roll

School Day

School Aims

School Inspection

School Improvement Plan

Attendance and Absence

Security

School Closure

Admission to School

Photographs and Videos

Communication Policy

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Lauder Primary School is located in Crofts Road where educational facilities have been available since 1863.  Written records are held from that date but a plaque inserted in the gable end of the school hall suggests that a school stood here in 1836.  Inevitably, changes to the original school building have happened over the years.

Some modernisation took place in 1966 when the block of four classrooms was constructed.  A fifth classroom was added in 1977 when part of the playground was built over.  In 1987 another classroom was built upstairs, giving us six classrooms for the seven stages of primary education.

A mobile unit was installed in the playground in June 2004 and two classes are accommodated in the two rooms.

A nursery was added in 1998 and is accommodated in a mobile unit in the school playground.  The nursery can accommodate 20 children in the morning and 20 children in the afternoon.  At present the nursery caters for pre-school and ante pre-school children. 

A new school is planned for Lauder in the next few years. Scottish Borders Council have agreed the funding and the process of designing & building a new school is underway.

The Headteacher, Mr Alan Vannan, is assisted by a Depute Headteacher and twelve class teachers, two of whom are designated Principal Teachers. At present there are visiting teachers of Music, Physical Education and Learning Support. These specialists bring their own expertise into the life of the school.

The Support Staff consists of the School Administrator, Nursery Nurse, two Classroom Assistant, four Additional Needs Assistants, a Cook, an Assistant Cook, a Janitor and a Cleaner.

THE SCHOOL

The school roll at August 2008 is 195 pupils ranging from Primary 1 (P1) to Primary 7 (P7). There are a mixture of composite and single year groups.

The nursery caters for 3 and 4 year olds in two groups (morning and afternoon). The roll at August 2008 is 33 pre-school children and 6 ante pre-school. The nursery has its own ‘Information for Parents’ handbook and Wraparound information leaflet; please ask at the school for a copy.

THE SCHOOL DAY

Times are as follows:

Morning                       8.45am – 12.00 noon

Morning Break             10.30am – 10.45am

Lunch                         12.00noon – 12.45pm

Afternoon                    12.45pm – 2.45pm

(Nursery times: Morning 8.45am-11.15am and Afternoon 12.45pm-3.15pm)

LAUDER PRIMARY SCHOOL AIMS

At Lauder Primary School we provide opportunities for all pupils to become successful, confident and responsible individuals in society.

Ø      To provide a broad, progressive and balanced curriculum for every child in partnership with parents, carers and the wider community

Ø      To ensure that through effective assessment procedures all pupils are encouraged to reach and maintain their highest level of attainment and achievement

Ø      To provide quality learning experiences for all pupils, through a range of teaching styles, which will enable them to become actively involved in their learning

Ø      To provide a  caring and supportive learning environment where the emotional, physical, social and educational needs of every child are considered in order that they achieve maximum individual potential

Ø      To provide a welcoming, happy, healthy and safe learning environment through a positive approach in partnership with pupils, parents, carers, staff and the wider community

Ø      To provide a range of appropriate resources to meet the needs of staff and pupils in all areas of the curriculum

Ø      To promote a team approach to ensure the effective management of the school through good leadership, where the views of all pupils, parents, carers and staff are valued

The school was inspected by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIe). A copy can be requested from the school, or is available online at http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/inspection/5616220%20Lauder%20PS.pdf

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND QUALITY PLAN

The School Improvement and Quality Plan identifies and gives some detail of proposed developments for the current session. An outline framework for the following two years is also included. The plan is written annually and takes account of school needs and priorities as well as Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Executive priorities.

The key purpose of the plan is to provide a structure to help support and improve the achievement of pupils. The plan enables the management of teaching and learning, curriculum, finance and resources in order to realise the key purpose. Parents will be consulted on the content of the plan as appropriate. A summary of the plan is sent to all parents and copies of the School Improvement Plan can be obtained from the school office.

ATTENDANCE and ABSENCE

The school is required to have an explanation for all pupil absences. We ask that you inform the school on the first day of your child’s absence. Please inform the school if your child has an infectious illness as this information can prove very useful.

Although for some families term time holidays are unavoidable, you are urged to give careful consideration to taking children out of school unnecessarily. Children who are out of school for holiday absence will definitely miss out on teaching and learning. It is not possible to give children schoolwork to take with them; lessons are interactive with direct teaching taking place. Parents wishing to take children out of school for a period of time should inform the Headteacher in writing in advance of the break. Holiday absences in term time are recorded as ‘unauthorised'.

The school is fitted with a security system and the following procedures apply:

Ø      all entrance doors are locked during school ‘work times’

Ø      an over-ride system allows staff and pupils to leave through all doors in school in the case of emergencies

Ø      entry to school for parents and visitors is through the front door only. Camera and entry phone systems are in operation.

Ø      Please ring the bell and wait for a verbal message to enter. If the identity of visitors is unclear then they will be asked to

      make themselves known to the member of staff in the office.

Ø      There will normally be a member of staff in the office at all times

Ø      visitors should always report to the office, they should sign the visitors’ book and if not known by pupils and staff, wear a visitor's badge

SCHOOL CLOSURE

If the school is to be closed due to severe weather or other circumstances we will do our best to let you know in advance. In cases of emergency a message will be broadcast on Radio Borders and the Radio Scotland local news bulletins.

Immediate updates on emergency situations is now available on LB Alert website

Lothian and Borders Alert www.lbalert.info offers an innovative new way of providing guidance and advice during an emergency or critical situation.  This will be a vital resource in situations such as school closures and winter weather where parents can find out at the touch of a button what is happening in schools and bus services across the region.

People are being encouraged to log on and check the site regularly so that they are familiar with what information is available to them and keep a note of the web address handy just in case the worst should happen.

Background information

• The website, known as LB Alert, Lothian and Borders Alert (www.lbalert.info) was launched on the 4^th October 2006.

• Is the first website of its kind in Scotland and complies with the requirements of the Civil Contingencies Act 2001 in warning and informing the public during an emergency.

• The current partners signed up to LBAlert are Lothian and Borders Police, Lothian and Borders Fire & Rescue Services, the City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Borders Council, West Lothian Council and East Lothian Council.  It is supported by the Scottish Executive, and will be operated jointly by Lothian and Borders emergency services with the City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council and Scottish Borders Council. 

• It will provide information and advice to the public as well as the media, and any other organisations, during civil emergencies such as severe flooding, school closures, transport accidents and any other major or catastrophic incidents.

ADMISSION TO SCHOOL

In line with Scottish Borders Council pupils enrol in November for admission to Primary One in August; birth certificates should be brought to the school at the time of enrolment. Children should have reached the age of five by February 28th in the year following. Parents may make an appointment with the Headteacher if they wish to discuss any issues. During the summer term before starting school, prospective new P1 entrants will spend some time in school with a Primary One teacher. This is an ideal time for the children to become more familiar with the school, meet the teachers and other children and to alleviate any misgivings about coming to school the following term.  There will be an information evening for the P1 parents to meet with the class teacher and the Headteacher.  This is an ideal time for parents to ask questions and seek additional information on any matters that may concern them.

Parents who live in the area or who may come to live in the area and wish to enrol a child / children at Lauder Primary School may telephone the Headteacher to arrange a visit to the school at a time convenient to both parents and staff.

Pupils from Lauder normally transfer to Earlston High School. Staff from Earlston High School visit the Primary 7 pupils throughout the year and liaise with teachers. The Primary 7 pupils spend two days visiting the High School in the final term. There are also opportunities for parents to visit the school and meet with secondary staff.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO

All parents are asked to complete a consent form as part of the enrolment process with the following four statements:

1. Do you consent to your child being photographed/videoed for school?
2. Do you consent to your child being photographed/videoed for press purposes?
3. If you answered yes to a photograph being taken, do you further consent to your child’s name being released to the press?
4. Do you consent to your child’s photograph being used on the School’s or Council’s website

Should you wish to change any of the above permissions please contact the school office.

A photographer usually visits school twice each session. Once to take individual/family group photos and on another occasion to take class photos. There is no obligation to buy.

COMMUNICATION POLICY

There should be useful communication between school-home and home-school. To do this, the following should be available:

a)         School – Home

Ø      School handbook for new entrants

Ø      The handbook is updated annually and amended to include any changes and stress important issues

Ø      Parents are informed as soon as possible about events

Ø      Other information will be issued through the school newsletter

Ø      If there is an emergency which requires pupils being sent home early, every effort will be made to inform parents

b)         Home - School

Ø      Parents should be aware that they can communicate freely with the school at any time

Ø      Parents should be aware that communication regarding school can also be made through
(a) the Parent Council (not for personal matters) 
(b) the Education Department of Scottish Borders Council