Information you need to know
Below you will find all the essential information about our school. This information is particularly useful to parents of children starting at Mandeville.
Organisation and Teaching
There are approximately 350 children at Mandeville Primary School, in classes of between 20 and 30 children.
The teaching team can be found here. In addition to class based staff we also benefit from support by specialist assistants, supporting children for whom English is an additional language and children with Special Educational Needs.
The content of the curriculum has been planned by the whole staff. In the mornings we focus on teaching English and Maths although other subjects may be taught.
In the afternoon learning is organised by themes; children follow a different theme in each year group and this links the learning through all subjects in the curriculum, including science. These themes re changed at the end of each half term.
In addition, all children take part in Physical Education, Personal, Social & Health Education and Religious Education. In KS2, the children learn Latin.
Class newsletters are sent to parents at the start of each half termly topic, outlining the main areas to be covered and how they can support the children's learning at home.
The teachers within the school work as a team to plan activities and share resources. A range of teaching techniques is used as appropriate; no one teaching method dominates. The weekly timetable followed by each class is devised by class teachers. Classes are sometimes split for curriculum activities, enabling small group teaching. The timetables reflect a broad and balanced programme of learning, but prioritises the learning of English, Maths, Science and PSHE as the core curriculum subjects.
All classes are of mixed ability as research shows that this is the most effective way for all to learn. Learning is well matched to the needs of individual children. Children work in groups, as a whole class and individually to ensure progress and work to the highest standard of attainment. Expectations of the children are high in terms of their attitude towards learning, the quality and quantity of work produced and the effort they make in the classroom.
Communication to parents
Communication between school and parents is very important to us. The weekly newsletter is sent via Arbor every Friday to parents, providing information about forthcoming events, dates, general information and specific problems. This is our primary source of communication and it is so important that parents read them carefully so that they miss anything! Newsletters are also posted on our website here.
Downloading the "Marvellous Me" app to your phone will enable the teacher to send good news and messages directly to parents' phones. Please ask in the office for more information.
Community notices and general leaflets on a variety of matters are displayed in reception.
School Security
During the day staff and pupils are protected from intruders by a front entry security system. Access is by the front door only and all visitors are required to sign in. The gates to the school are locked during the day and all visitors must use the front entrance on Mandeville Drive.
Adults are asked to wait at the front of the school when meeting staff or children during the school day. Children are not permitted to open the front door to visitors.
Inclusion
Mandeville is a thriving academy which prides itself on being a central part of the COMMUNITY. We aim to welcome all children irrespective of race, gender, ability or background. We welcome and respect the rich diversity that different people bring to our school.
We make every effort to provide for children’s differing needs and abilities and are careful to ensure that all children have the opportunity to do their best.
- Our school is a flat site and easily accessible to disabled people
- Excellent support is offered to children who have additional needs
- We provide special diets for children who need them
- Translators and readers are available for adults and children
If you or your child requires any special arrangements, please discuss these with us.
Access for Disabled Pupils and pupils with Additional Needs
The school has good access for disabled pupils. In the recent building refurbishments we have ensured that doors are wide enough for wheel chair access and most steps have been replaced by ramps.
All our classrooms are equipped with Soundfield systems to support children with hearing impairment.
All class based staff are well trained in understanding autism and communication difficulties.
Our SENCo leads and co-ordinates all necessary specialist provision.
Enquiries and Complaints
We hope that parents who have any concerns or worries will in the first instance raise these with the class teacher. If you are not sure who to approach, please ask at the school office who will be able to help you. We find that nearly all concerns or potential complaints can be resolved happily through discussion.
Please be aware that we do not ever respond to anonymous letters or emails and that the "contact us" section of this website is not confidential and should not be used to discuss confidential issues, individual members of staff or pupils.
The Governors of the school have arrangements for considering complaints formally - you can obtain a copy of the complaints policy from the school or you can find our Spiral Complaints Policy.