2012 2013 Prospectus HEXTON Sept 2012

Hexton JMI School
Headteacher
Mrs Jeni Houghton
Hexton, Hitchin, Herts. SG5 3JL
 01582 881248
e-mail: admin@hexton.herts.sch.uk
Website: www.hexton.herts.sch.uk
HEXTON J.M.I. SCHOOL
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers
On behalf of the staff and children, I would like to welcome you to Hexton JMI School. Our
aim is to develop a partnership with you, building on the skills which your child has learned at
home, and working together to pursue the utmost further development in a happy, confident
and successful manner.
Hexton JMI is a friendly, attractive community school with small class sizes, lots of adult help
and approximately 35 lively and enthusiastic children. We realise each child in our care has
differing needs and we provide a carefully structured and stimulating curriculum within each
class, based on the National Curriculum. We also strive to provide quality extra curricular
activities, at present offering a physical education club and individual instrument lessons
(violin, recorder and guitar) and clubs. The children enjoy school, but are aware that we have
high expectations of them in their behaviour, social development and academic work.
As well as valuing our partnership with you in educating your child, we welcome your
involvement in school life; whether this be by helping in the class, assisting with school visits
or supporting the activities of the Hexton Parents Association.
Should you wish to find out more about us, please do telephone the school for information or
to arrange an appointment to visit us.
Yours sincerely
JENI HOUGHTON
Headteacher
GOVERNORS
Governors are elected to the Governing Body for a term of office of four years from the date
of election. The full Governing Body meets each half term. All governors are appointed to
either the School Development or Resources sub-committee, both of which meet at regular
intervals throughout the year.
Chair of Governors for 2012 / 13
Ms Debbie Lee.
The Governing Body is currently represented by the following members.
Governor appointed by the Local Authority
Vacant
Governor appointed by the Local Authority
Ms D Lee
Governor appointed by the Parish Council
Mr P Cooper
Teacher Governor
Mrs J Alexander
Parent Governors
Dr S.Hughes
Mrs A Bishop
Co-opted Governors
Mr B Coe
Mrs H Devereux
Headteacher
Mrs J Houghton
We currently have a Parent Governor vacancy.
All parents are entitled to see minutes of meetings of the School Governing Body which are
available from the School Office and on the school website.
STAFF OF HEXTON JMI SCHOOL
WHO’S WHO
Teachers:
Mrs Jeni Houghton
Mrs Juliet Alexander
Mrs Roli Okoturo
Mrs Rachel Marsh
Headteacher
Acorn Class and Senior Teacher
Oak Class
All Classes
Support Staff:
Mrs Lisa Fishwick
Mrs Vicky Wills
Mrs Laura Bassett
Mrs Maria Burton
Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistant
Mrs Diane Bailey
Mrs Sue Lake
Mrs Allison Bishop
School Business Manager
School Secretary
School Secretary
Cleaning Staff:
Mr David Dickman
Kitchen Staff:
Mrs Lucy Caporale
Caretaker and Cleaner
Cook
Mid-day Supervisory Assistants:
Ms Heather Allen
Mrs Vicky Wills
Mrs Laura Bassett
HEXTON J.M.I. SCHOOL
Vision & Aims
Our Vision
Hexton JMI School is committed to offering a Primary education of the highest quality to each
child. As a small rural school, we set out to promote and nurture traditional moral and spiritual
values within a happy and purposeful environment where everyone feels valued and secure.
The school seeks to provide a rich and varied curriculum that ensures that all children are
challenged to achieve their best, to become confident and independent learners and to
maximize their talents.
Hexton JMI School has high, individual-based expectations of all members of the school
community in all aspects of their school life. We will constantly review our objectives,
celebrate our achievements and will always aim to improve.
Our Aims

To provide an education of the highest quality and greatest opportunity for each child.

To provide a caring and welcoming environment, based on traditional values, where all
children are happy and feel confident to develop their talents and potential.

To have high expectations of academic excellence whilst promoting the moral, cultural,
spiritual, social and physical development of pupils.

To develop pupils as global citizens by encouraging a respectful, enthusiastic and
independent approach to learning, the development of social skills and a positive selfimage.

To foster successful partnerships with parents, carers and the wider community to
promote the aims of the school.
Organisation and Admissions
The school admits children in accordance with the Hertfordshire County Council’s
Admissions Policy.
At present the Local Authority is unable to contact Bedfordshire parents wishing to send their
children to Hertfordshire schools. Therefore, the school keeps a continuing interest list in an
endeavour to give all prospective parents an equal opportunity to send their children to
Hexton School.
The Headteacher welcomes the opportunity to show prospective parents around the school.
Appointments can be made through the school office.
The school is organised into three full time classes. Class 1 contains a part time early
admissions group.
Acorn Class
Oak Class
Reception, Years 1 and 2 4-7 years
Years 3, 4, 5 and 6
7-11 years
Children are admitted into school at the beginning of the academic year in which they are
five.
GENERAL INFORMATION
School Hours
Morning Session:
9.00 – 12.00 pm
9.00 – 12.10pm
Foundation and Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2
Morning Break
10.25 - 10.40 am
All children
Afternoon Session: 1.00 - 3.15 pm
Afternoon Break:
13.55 – 14.10
All children
Foundation and Key Stage 1
Staff playground supervision will commence at 8.50am and we cannot accept responsibility
for children before or after school, except by prior arrangement. Please supervise your
children closely outside and do not allow them to climb on the equipment. Neither can we
accept responsibility for children not on the register at Hexton JMI School.
Please make every effort to get your child to school on time. Late arrival needs to be
accompanied by an explanation. Children coming to school late must report to the school
office.
At 8.55 each morning the children form orderly lines before being brought into school by their
class teacher. Children are expected to be in the playground approximately five minutes
before the start of school.
Should your child be unable to attend school, for whatever reason, please notify the school
by 9.00 am on each day of absence.
At breaktime children may bring a snack to eat. This should be a piece of fruit or a healthy
cereal bar. Sweets are not permitted.
School finishes at 3.15. Children are collected from the following points:
Acorn Class
Oak Class
Outside the double doors in Acorn Class
The quadrangle outside Oak Class.
Term dates and holidays
Term dates and school holidays for all Hertfordshire schools are determined by the Local
Authority. In addition there are 5 Inset (training) days and one Occasional Day and these are
arranged at the discretion of the Headteacher and Governors.
In accordance with the School’s Attendance Policy, parents are strongly urged to avoid
booking family holidays during term time. Parents do not have the right to take their child out
of school and all absences must be authorised by the Headteacher. No holiday absences
will be authorised during SATS week.
The term dates and holidays for 2012 - 13 are as follows:
Autumn Term
3rd September – 26th October
5th November – 21st December
INSET Days: Monday 3rd September
Tuesday 4th September
Occasional Day: Friday 30th November
Spring Term
th
7 January – 15th February
25th February – 28th March
INSET Day: Monday 7th January
Summer Term
15th April – 24th May
3rd June – 24th July
INSET Days: Friday 24th May
Monday 3rd June
The Curriculum
Each teacher carefully plans the work of each class group. These plans incorporate the
programmes of study from the National Curriculum, the whole school curriculum plan and the
interests of the children.
A range of methods and resources are used to deliver the curriculum. Teaching is organised
to ensure that pupils receive work at an appropriate level so that all children can achieve their
potential. As we have mixed age classes, children will meet topics over a two year cycle.
However, the teacher will plan carefully to differentiate the work to meet the particular ability
needs of all children in the class regardless of age.
English
All classes have a literacy session each day. During this time specific teaching of phonics,
text and sentence level work including grammar, punctuation and spelling, takes place in
order to develop pupils’ abilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening. For younger
pupils, the session may be split into several shorter sessions.
Speaking and Listening
This is a vitally important part of a child’s development and crucial to making good progress
in reading and writing. A variety of activities are used to develop children’s language and
listening ability including role-play, drama, paired discussion, group work and circle time.
Reading
Reading is taught through a ‘searchlight’ method which embraces several strategies i.e.
phonics, context and picture clues. Three particular styles of reading take place: Shared reading – the whole class read together and the reading material is moderately
challenging to some pupils.
 Guided reading – the teacher actively works with a small group to build up reading
strategies using more challenging text.
 Independent reading – the text chosen is very closely aligned to the child’s capability
in reading. Books at this level are sent home as they give the children practice in
reading and builds confidence.
Writing
Initially, great emphasis is placed on the
teaching of phonics as we view this as a
vital first step in the process of learning to
read and write. Early writing will consist of
writing captions, lists, short sentences etc.
before going on to progressively more
demanding work in story writing, report
writing, poetry, play scripts etc. A joined
handwriting script is taught as early as
possible in Class 1.
Mathematics
Mathematics is taught as a subject in its own right and also within other subjects for example,
science and geography. Each class has a daily numeracy session and follows the framework
of the national numeracy strategy. The children are provided with a structured learning
environment embracing a range of strategies for developing their mathematical knowledge
and understanding. An increasing emphasis is given to the application of knowledge in a
range of contexts as children progress through the school.
Science
Science is taught mainly as a separate subject following prescribed units of work set out for
each year group. Children have opportunities to develop the capacity to observe,
hypothesise, investigate and evaluate at increasing complex levels.
History and Geography
These subjects are mainly taught through topic work based on the requirements of the
National Curriculum. These are presented in such a way as to motivate pupils to ask
questions, to find information from books, the internet and other people, to use maps and to
understand their identity in the wider world. Work may include museum visits, fieldwork and
research both at school and at home.
Art and Technology
Specific skills are taught and practised in separate art or technology lessons and in the
contexts provided by work in other topic areas.
Music
Music is taught weekly in all classes. Lessons by peripatetic music
specialists may be available on a fee paying basis.
PE
Pupils develop their co-ordination skills and teamwork through gymnastics, swimming and
dance and a variety of games. There is a multi-sports club taken by a specialist in games.
Information and Communication Technology
All classes are equipped with computers for pupil use. We
see ICT as an important aspect of children’s learning.
The school’s website can be accessed on
www.hexton.herts.sch.uk.
From time to time group photographs and examples of
children’s work may be published on the website. Names are
never included with photographs and individual portraits are
never published.
Any parent may request that their child is not included in any
material published on the website.
Religious Education
The teaching of RE is in accordance with the Hertfordshire Agreed Syllabus. The syllabus is
available on request. Children are taught about the traditions and beliefs of different cultures
and about Christian traditions and beliefs.
Collective Worship
Daily assemblies are held which comply with the County guidelines and are mainly Christian
in nature. During assemblies children are offered the opportunity to consider for themselves
the various philosophies which exist within the world. These acts of collective worship can be
at any time of the school day and in a variety of different groupings. Twice a week the school
holds a “celebratory assembly” where children’s achievements are recognised by and
celebrated with the rest of the school.
Sex Education
Sex education is taught in the context to relationships, the themes of respect and
responsibility for self and others are emphasised. Topics and themes are revisited from year
to year taking into account the children’s stage of development and include: Ourselves,
Health and Growth, Keeping Healthy, Change. Questions from children are dealt with
sensitively and in terms appropriate to the age of children concerned.
Parents wishing to exercise the right to withdraw their child from Sex Education should make
their intentions known to the Headteacher. Alternative provision will be made for these
children.
Children with Special Educational Needs
A child with special educational needs may be any child with learning, social, emotional,
behaviour or physical needs who requires additional support.
Each child’s progress is carefully monitored through school and if a concern is raised about a
child, the parents will be informed and possible action discussed. Equally, if parents have
concerns, they are invited to bring this to the attention of school staff.
A child’s needs are assessed initially by the class teacher in consultation with the head
teacher who is also the school’s Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo). If appropriate
additional support will be given and an Individual Education Plan drawn up. Outside agency
support such as the Educational Psychology service or Advisory Teacher for special needs
will be consulted following parental consent and a formal assessment of the child may then
be made.
The Special Education Needs policy reflects the school’s philosophy, assessment and
monitoring procedures. This policy is available to any parent on request.
Extra-curricular activities
Children have access to a range of clubs at lunchtimes and after school. Recent club
activities have included sports, science and piano tuition.
Educational visits
A wide range of visits are organised by the teaching staff to enhance the school curriculum.
Please note that written parental permission is needed before any child can participate in
such a visit. For visits further than the local area (i.e. beyond Hitchin or Letchworth) coach
transport (fitted with seat belts) will be used.
For local visits we may rely on the generosity of parents to transport children in their cars,
providing they can supply full body seatbelts and booster seats.
Voluntary contributions are requested to assist with funding. No child is excluded on the
grounds of cost. It may not be possible for some activities to go ahead if insufficient parental
contributions are received.
Residential Journeys
Children in Key Stage 2 have the opportunity to participate in residential school journeys for
which we require a substantial voluntary donation from parents. However, as we do not wish
any child to miss the opportunity due to adverse family financial reasons, assistance can be
sought in complete confidence through the head teacher.
Hexton Parents Association
The school has a thriving parents association which works tirelessly to raise money for the
school and to provide social occasions for parents and children. Fundraising events have
included fashion shows and summer fair. Social occasions have included film club and
discos for pupils, quiz evening for parents and annual pantomime outing for parents, pupils
and staff.
Children’s Progress and Reports
As a small school, we pride ourselves in being able to maintain good communication with
parents. The class teacher and Headteacher will be pleased to discuss your child's progress
with you if you have a particular concern. It is always better to make an appointment for this
so that your discussion can be timed to be as interruption free as possible.
Two Parent Teacher consultations are arranged during the year where teachers and parents
have the opportunity to discuss progress and share information about the child. Each child
receives a written report which is sent to parents towards the end of the summer term.
Rates of Authorised and Unauthorised absence
Parents are very supportive in notifying the school of
lateness or absence from school. For the Autumn term
2011 there were 0% unauthorised absences and 3.3%
authorised absences.
School Uniform
There is a strong dress code at Hexton School.

All children should have a Hexton sweatshirt or sweat cardigan*

Boys should wear grey or black trousers or, in the summer, shorts.

Girls should wear a grey or navy skirt or pinafore of a suitable length for school. In
summer girls may wear suitable dresses in the school colour, blue.

In cold weather girls may wear smart tailored grey or black trousers. We would prefer
that they wear skirts or dresses where appropriate.

Shirts, t-shirts, blouses and polo shirts should be white or blue.

Children need a change of shoes. Plimsolls will be worn inside school by Class 1
children. Sensible shoes (preferably black) should be worn inside school in Classes 2
and 3.
All clothing should be clearly named.
PE Kit
For PE children require:

Plimsolls for children in Class 1

Trainers for children in Classes 2 and 3

Blue shorts and a Hexton* or plain white t-shirt for PE and games

A blue or black track-suit for outdoor games in cold conditions.

Football boots for Class 3.
All kit, including footwear, should be clearly named.
*Sweatshirts and t-shirts with the Hexton logo can be ordered from the school office.
Book bags bearing the school logo are also available from the office.
Each child should have a drawstring bag in which PE kit can be kept.
Jewellery and Personal Property
Named watches are permitted in school. Other items of jewellery are unnecessary and can
be dangerous in some school activities. Children with pierced ears should wear studs only.
Responsibility cannot be taken for games, toys, mobile phones or other personal property
brought to school, which has not been specifically requested as part of a class project. Any
items brought to school in connection with class work should be clearly named.