1. family and parenting
2. children

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caring for others
democracy
equity
social
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honesty
self responsibility
equalityself help
openness
solidarity
A new way of thinking
Welcome
This prospectus has been designed to
give you an insight into the wide range of
opportunities on offer at The John Curwen
Co-operative Primary Academy. We aim to
provide a secure, friendly yet disciplined
environment in which every individual child
is able to develop their full potential and
thrive under the Y-OUR Co-operative values.
We expect high standards of work, behaviour and
dress from all our children. I am very proud of the
way they represent the academy in so many areas
of excellence; within and beyond the curriculum.
We are also fortunate to have a well-qualified and
committed staff who create a high quality learning
environment and the benefit of a strong tradition
of partnership with the local community and our
parents. In return, the academy strapline Y-OUR,
clearly states what we stand for and offer you:
Yorkshire and Humberside,
Open to all,
Unlocking potential,
Raising aspirations.
I hope you will find this prospectus informative.
If you want to find out more about The John Curwen
Co-operative Primary Academy, I am more than
happy to speak to you either on the phone or meet
you personally.
I look forward to welcoming you to The John
Curwen Co-operative Primary Academy and
working with you all in the future.
Sue Balfour-Bellamy
Acting Principal
The John Curwen Co-operative Primary Academy
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A new way of thinking
Y-OUR
Co-operative values
Co-operative schools are about developing
a balanced set of values that will help
young people become the good citizens
our society needs.
Our Co-operative Values
Self-help Encouraging all within the organisation
to help each other, by working together to gain
mutual benefits. Helping people to help themselves.
Self-responsibility To take responsibility for,
and answer to, our actions.
Democracy To give our stakeholders a say
in the way we run our schools.
Equality Equal rights and benefits according
to their contribution.
Equity Being fair and unbiased.
Solidarity Supporting each other and those
in other co-operatives.
Our Ethical Values
Consistent with the values of the founders
of the Co-operative Movement, we believe
in the ethical values of:
• Openness
• Honesty
• Social responsibility
• Caring for others
strong
traditions
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The John Curwen Co-operative Primary Academy
Part of Y-OUR Co-operative Academies Trust
Sharing our values
We are proud that The John Curwen
Co-operative Primary Academy is part of the
expanding national network of almost 800
co-operative schools. All co-operative schools
share values which are incorporated into our
curriculum. The key drivers for our children
are self-responsibility and social responsibility.
We share in the belief that a strong partnership
between children, parents, teachers, support staff
and the wider community is needed to ensure that
every child can be given the help and support they
need to unlock their full potential.
We want our children to take self-responsibility for
their own learning and behaviour. This will enable
them to build their life skills to become the good
citizens of the future and to make the most of what
the world can offer them.
Schools Co-operative Society
Sponsors of The John Curwen Co-operative
Primary Academy
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A new way of thinking
Achievement
for all
Our academy will be a place where everyone
fosters a love of learning through strong
partnerships within the school community.
We will provide a welcoming, caring and
stimulating environment where learning
is an enjoyable and happy experience.
Our children will be equipped with the skills
and knowledge for life in an ever-changing
world so they become confident, responsible
and enquiring citizens.
Your child will be involved with many varied
activities within our academy, all of which are
carefully planned and structured to meet their
needs and National Curriculum requirements.
We recognise that every child has individual
needs and that children learn at different rates.
The National Curriculum includes Mathematics,
English (including: reading, writing, spelling
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and handwriting) Science, Design & Technology,
Computing, History, Geography, Art, Music,
PE, RE and French.
We also focus on the Co-operative values of
self-responsibility and social responsibility as well
as listening, thinking and speaking skills as drivers
for our curriculum. These were identified by our
staff as important qualities for our children.
School visits are linked to topic work and
have included visits to Standedge Tunnel, Eureka,
The National Coal Mining Museum and Spen Valley
swimming gala as well as the Robinwood residential
trips. These are valued and enjoyed by children,
parents and teachers alike.
We also have visitors into school to enhance topics.
These have included Roman and Viking experience
days, exotic animals and theatre productions.
The John Curwen Co-operative Primary Academy
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Care for all
We are committed to ensuring the welfare
and safety of all children in our academy.
All schools in Kirklees, including our academy,
follow the Kirklees Safeguarding Children
Board procedures. The academy will, in most
circumstances, endeavour to discuss all
concerns with parents about their children.
However, there may be exceptional circumstances
when the academy will discuss concerns with Duty
and Assessment and/or the Police without parental
knowledge (in accordance with Safeguarding
procedures). The academy will, of course, always
aim to maintain a positive relationship with all
parents. The academy’s safeguarding policy
is available upon request and can be viewed
on our website.
As an academy, we have close contacts with the
School Health Service, Family and Community
Services and the Police, any or all of whom
may become involved in supporting the school
community. Should you wish to discuss Child
Protection and the safety of your child, or indeed
any topic involving your child, please feel free
to contact the office who will direct you to the
appropriate person.
We have qualified registered nurses linked to
the academy who work with school age children.
They carry out routine screening of vision, hearing,
growth and general health. They encourage and
promote good health and are pleased to see
and discuss this with children and parents.
Our School Nursing team is part of Locala.
If you have any medical concerns about your
child, for whatever reason, do not feel you have
to wait for a routine check to be undertaken before
speaking to us. If you have any queries about the
School Health Service and what it offers please
contact the academy office.
positive
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A new way of thinking
Home learning
Our academy is committed to ensuring that
learning continues beyond the classroom and
views home learning as an important part
of a child's education.
Studies have shown that parental participation at
home enhances the child’s ability to learn and also
promotes the work we do in school. We therefore
encourage work to be undertaken at home. In the
Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 this includes
phonics work, number work and reading books.
doing within school is preparing them for the wider
world, we provide home learning that extends their
knowledge and skills in a variety of creative ways.
Our academy website also has learning areas in
which children can participate.
In Key Stage 2 children are still encouraged to
read at home. However, as the work they are
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The John Curwen Co-operative Primary Academy
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Part of Y-OUR Co-operative Academies Trust
Behaviour
and discipline
We expect the highest standards of behaviour
and therefore we have class rules appropriate
to the age of the children. These are developed
and agreed in consultation with the children
and are clearly visible. We believe that children
have a right to learn and teachers have a right
to teach.
We operate a restorative practice behaviour policy
which aims to teach, encourage and reward good
behaviour and sanction inappropriate behaviour.
We believe that children should be aware of
how others have been affected by inappropriate
behaviour. This is done by engaging those involved
in an adult-led non-judgemental and structured
approach. Therefore it is important that parents
are familiar with the policy.
Copies of the academy's restorative
practice behaviour policy are available from
the academy office and can be viewed on the
academy’s website.
a right
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A new way of thinking
Behaviour
and discipline
We have a Learning Mentor and an Educational
Teaching Manager as part of our compliment of
staff. They are specifically trained to work with
children with emotional or social difficulties.
Their specialised role is to work on individual and
group programmes which support the children’s
development both emotionally and socially. By
working closely with external agencies, we are
proactive and help promote positive relationships.
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The John Curwen Co-operative Primary Academy
Part of Y-OUR Co-operative Academies Trust
Partnership
with parents
At The John Curwen Co-operative Primary
Academy we view your child’s education
as a partnership between the academy and
yourselves, with both sides working together
to support and develop children academically
and socially.
Parents, or prospective parents, can call into the
academy office at any time and be given a warm
welcome. By telephoning in advance we can
guarantee to put you in touch with the best person
to answer your questions.
We strive to increase pupil attendance in the
academy as research shows this significantly
increases the child’s learning journey.
We politely ask parents to adhere to the start
and finish times of our academy. It is disruptive
to lessons and can be upsetting for children to
enter class late. It is equally upsetting for children
who are not collected on time.
open
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A new way of thinking
Activities to enhance
the curriculum
At The John Curwen Co-operative
Primary Academy we offer a wide range
of extra-curricular activities particularly
in sport and music.
Comic Relief, Red Nose Day, Sports Relief,
Macmillan Cancer Research, Children in Need
and the British Legion Poppy appeal.
These have included dodgeball, rollerskating
and multisports. These are all highly popular
with our children as they are different to National
Curriculum sports.
We encourage children to participate in activities
to help raise funds for the academy. These funds
are always used to the direct benefit of the children,
for example school trips and theatre productions.
We also support charities which have included
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The John Curwen Co-operative Primary Academy
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Physical education
Sporting activities allow our children to
develop self-confidence and self-esteem,
with opportunities to take part in competitive
sport or develop a leisure interest.
We aim:
• To encourage the development of positive
attitudes to sporting activities in general,
including the enjoyment of participating in sport.
• To develop the abilities of all children across
a wide range of sporting activities.
• To offer opportunities to all children for
involvement in sporting activities ‘over and above’
those identified in the National Curriculum.
• To develop concepts such as fair play,
self-discipline, respect for others, playing
within set rules, co-operation, team work,
effort and dedication.
• To help children understand the benefits
of exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
positiv
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caring for others
democracy
equity
social
responsibility
honesty
self responsibility
equalityself help
openness
solidarity
w
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The John Curwen Co-operative Primary Academy
Leeds Old Road, Heckmondwike. WF16 9BB
01924 326708 • www.johncurwen.coop • [email protected]