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Newsletter |
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Staff Governors |
Prospectus
Ofsted inspected Dean Row School in September 2000. Extracts from the extremely favourable report are included throughout this prospectus. Copies of the official summary and of the full report are available on request from the school.
In 2002 Dean Row was commended in the annual report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of School.
Dean Row was awarded Beacon Status by the Department for Education and Skills in September 2002.
Dean Row was awarded “Healthy School” status in 2003.
Dean Row was awarded a Sports England “Activemark” in 2004.
Dean Row was awarded the Eco-schools bronze certificate in 2005.
Ofsted says:
"This is a very effective school. The pupils achieve high standards
and the teaching is very good"
“What the school does well:
The pupils achieve very good standards in English, Mathematics and Science.
The teaching is very good and the work is planned to meet the needs of all abilities.
The pupils enjoy school, have a positive attitude towards work and their behaviour is very good.
The curriculum is very good. It is well planned and interesting. The range of extracurricular activities is excellent.
The headteacher provides an excellent direction for the school and the school's development is based on a very good analysis of strengths and weaknesses in its performance.
The governors provide very good support for the school's work.
Standards in Art and Design are very good.
Standards in History, Geography, Religious Education, Physical Education and Design and Technology are better than expected for their age by the time the pupils leave school."
WELCOME TO DEAN ROW SCHOOL
This prospectus contains contributions from governors, teachers and pupils, all of whom extend a warm welcome to newcomers. We hope you will find the information contained here both interesting and useful.
We look forward to welcoming your child into our school and assure you that he or she will be valued as an individual.
The teachers and governors of this school believe that each of our children should be able to fulfil his or her potential in a happy, secure and well-disciplined environment.
We aim to provide a stimulating and caring environment where our children grow in self-confidence as well as knowledge, whilst maintaining high standards of discipline.
Child to Child
"Dean Row is the best school because everyone welcomes you when you move here or move up from the infants school.If you have any problems with bullying or falling out with friends the teachers and other pupils will listen to you.I also like the after-school clubs for whatever talent you have."Olivia Newman age 10
Ofsted says:
"The pupils willingly take on responsibility. They enjoy helping
each other and the older pupils display a caring attitude towards the
younger pupils. They co-operate in lessons and play happily together on
the playground. The pupils develop a high level of poise and confidence
and feel valued as part of the school community."
Our aims and values are like a ribbon woven through everything we do.
WE VALUE EACH PERSON'S INDIVIDUALITY, THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HOME AND
SCHOOL, COURTESY.
Admissions Policy
Dean Row is a junior school taking children between 7 and 11 years of age. We aim to be an inclusive school, welcoming pupils with special needs wherever possible. We are currently improving our accessibility for people with physical disabilities, ensuring that all facilities are available to wheelchair users.
The majority of our pupils begin their education at our partner school,
Oaklands Infants' school. The two schools work closely together to
ensure that the children benefit from a smooth transition between
schools at
the age of seven. At eleven most pupils transfer to Wilmslow high school,
with some moving on to selective grammar and independent schools.
We serve a large part of the Wilmslow and Handforth area. Our catchment
extends from Macclesfield Road and Wilmslow Park in the south to
Handforth station in the north, from Manchester Road in the west
out into the
countryside towards Adlington in the east. The Summerfields, Villas,
Redrow and Colshaw
estates all are within our catchment area.
In admitting children to Dean Row we give priority to those who live
within our catchment area. We can offer places to children who
live outside of the admission
zone if the school is not full. If requests for places exceed the admission
limit we will give preference to children who have a brother or
sister already in the
school and those who attend Oaklands Infants' school.
Organisation of classes
Our school is organised on the basis of 8 classes with two classes for each year group.
We regroup the children for Mathematics and English teaching in some year groups, so that the boys and girls are taught in sets based on ability. When we set the children in this way, we take care to keep the groupings under constant review.
Headteacher: Mr A W Moore (Art )
Teachers:
Mr A Sheppeck (Deputy Headteacher, D.T., P.E.)
Mrs D Burton (French),
Mrs C Lee (Mathematics & RE)
Mrs V Read (English)
Mrs M Mullen
Mr B Jones (History & Geography)
Ms J Bromley (Music)
Mrs L Pearson (Special Needs)
Mrs K Goodwin (ICT)
Miss L Quin (Science)
Classroom Assistants:
Ms B Sweatman,
Mrs H McLennon,
Mrs B Thompson,
Mrs N Waddell,
Mrs S Mattock,
Mrs F Watson
School Secretary:
Mrs K Healy
Caretaker:
Mr R Ainsworth
Midday Assistants:
Ms Roylance,
Mrs Cassell,
Mrs Santer,
Mrs Wilkinson,
Mrs Lavis
Cook:
Mrs J McNulty
Child to Child
"I think the children are especially nice, I’ve never had any problems. What I love doing is playing football with my friends"William Barber age 10
"On the first day at Dean Row I was a little nervous, but once I met my teacher and did some work, it became a great day. All the clubs are really fun. I go to netball, violin and recorder clubs." Parisa Valadan age 7
"School is great. There is so much to do, such as art club and music
lessons (I play the clarinet). Also I feel appreciated by the other people
in my class and my teacher.
I love it at Dean Row!"Craig
Waddell age 10
"I like the teachers because when something is wrong they will sort
it our for you."
Chloe Watkins age 10
"I enjoy Dean Row School because you will always find a new friend."
Liam Broad age 9
Governors
The governors meet at least once a term. Copies of the minutes of their meetings are available for parents to read on request.
The governors produce an annual report on the previous school year and hold a meeting for parents attended by teachers and governors so that the report and any issues raised by parents can be discussed. This meeting is normally held in the autumn term.
The governing body is made up of:
County Council, Local Education Authority representatives
Minor Local Authority representatives nominated by Macclesfield Borough Council
Co-opted governors chosen by the other governors
Parent governors elected by the parents of the school
Teacher governor elected by the teachers of the school
Non-teaching staff governor elected by the school support staff.
The chairman of governors is:
Mrs P Siberry
2 Thorley Lane
WA15 7AZ.
(Further details of the governing body are published in the annual report)
Ofsted says,
“ Governance is good. The governing body is well informed
by its various committees that meet regularly. This allows governors
to play an appropriate role in monitoring, challenging and supporting
senior managers.”
Child to Child
"The children are great for making friends easily here and the teachers are very kind, sometimes funny and sometimes strict." Max Rimmer age 11
"There is always something happening, whether its arts week, sports day or even the talent show. Dean Row is so exciting!" Lizzie Hibbert age 10
The Curriculum
Our boys and girls study the full National Curriculum for Key Stage
Two, which covers: English, Mathematics, Science, Information & Control
Technology, Design Technology, History, Geography, Art & Design,
Music, Physical Education and Religious Education. In addition we plan
for a
number of important cross-curricular themes which include:
· Equality
of opportunity, regardless of gender, faith or race
· Sensitivity to the needs of those with disabilities
· Religious and racial understanding
· Safety and health
· Personal responsibility and citizenship
· Environmental awareness
· French
· Communication and team work
The children spend just under 24 hours each week in lessons.
We are committed to planning a curriculum that challenges the children by setting targets appropriate to their needs and abilities. We value children's own enthusiasm, creativity and motivation and try to make lessons exciting and relevant.
As a matter of school policy we have high expectations of our children in the belief that high expectations lead to high achievement. We expect each of our boys and girls to do their best. We value the children's happiness and believe that this is best founded on self-confidence and a sense of personal worth and achievement.
Child to Child
"In Dean Row the work was a big step up for me, but with help I
got used to it and now I’m in the top set!"
Ben Steels age 11
Ofsted says,
"The school provides a caring environment where pupils are valued.
The school provides very good support for its pupils."
To support our high aspirations for the children we set high standards in the quality of teaching and have adopted challenging targets for further school improvement. Our published academic targets for English and Mathematics at the end of key stage 2 are above national average expectations. We expect that a large proportion of our pupils will reach level 5 in their statutory assessments in Year 6
Teaching is carried out by class teachers though there may be, from time to time, some specialist teaching, by other members of staff. Each teacher plans in partnership with colleagues, supported in the planning, monitoring and assessment of work by the subject co-ordinators and the headteacher. We take care to ensure that the children have a consistent experience throughout each year group. The children may work in groups or as individuals according to the task set and the experiences planned. The class teachers use a balance of approaches including whole class teaching, structured group work and individual tuition.
We have a very good level of teaching resources including a computer suite and a well-organised reference library in addition to class book collections.
We make considerable use of county facilities to supplement the school's
own resources and expertise including the school library service, psychological
service and specialist teaching advisory services.
Ofsted says,
"Teaching, learning and the curriculum are of good quality,
which ensures that all pupils are helped to make good progress."
We believe that our boys and girls are entitled to an enriched curriculum which includes:
Opportunities for public performance including speaking, singing, music making, dance and acting
The opportunity to attend a residential educational visit
Opportunities to extend their interests through after-school clubs
Opportunities to contribute to the running of the school through the elections for the school council
Challenges to develop personal responsibility and citizenship through individual and group, charity fund raising initiatives
Opportunities to compete in sports and athletics events as well as to share in co-operative enterprises within school and in association with other schools.
Child to Child
"I like Dean Row because they make you feel welcome and everyone’s
nice."
Martyn Fyles age 8
"I like the way Dean Row sets you up for the High School."
Thomas Waugh
age 11
Nicola's diary - A typical day at Dean Row
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8.45
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Arrive at school - join in with a game of football. Have a chat with friends. |
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8.50
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The doors open. I go in to hand in my homework and sort out my reading record. |
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8.55
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Bell goes. Everyone comes in. Register is called. Because it's Monday I give in my £7.50 dinner money for the week. |
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9.05
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Line up for assembly. We sing a hymn, say a prayer and listen to a story or any news. There's a new piece of music to listen to and a different work of art to look at each week. (Next week our class will put on a special assembly about our topic, the Ancient Egyptians) |
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9.25
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Back in class now for Literacy Hour. It's very interesting, last week we learnt a lot about the roots of words. |
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10.30
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Playtime. Eat my snack, then play hopscotch. |
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10.45
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Numeracy Hour. The classes are grouped into sets for this. |
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11.50
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Back to class. A bit of grammar or spelling practice, then stop for lunch. |
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12.00
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School dinner. Spaghetti Bolognese, then Arctic roll or fruit today. Orchestra practice in the hall. There's about 30 of us. I play the flute. |
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1.00
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SQUIRT time (super quiet uninterrupted individual reading time). I change my book. |
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1.15
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Science. This half term we're finding out all about sound. We're going to make our own musical instruments for homework. |
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2.15
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Afternoon playtime. Join in with basketball to use up some energy! |
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2.30
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P.E. with the gymnastics apparatus today. |
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3.15
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Story time. We're listening to "Call of the Wild" by Jack London. |
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3.30
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School ends. Some children stay on for clubs (netball, art and chess today), some go to the Oaklands' after-school club and the rest go home. |
Sex Education
We think it is very important that boys and girls are given appropriate information about the changes that are about to occur in their own bodies and how these fit into the pattern of normal human life. We include sex education in our health education programme for the older pupils, taking care to ensure that parents are informed in advance of the nature and content of these lessons.
Child to Child
"I like Dean Row because of the opportunity to show your talent in the talent shows and the teachers make you confident about your talent." Beth Wolstencroft age 11
Children with Special Educational Needs
We are very concerned to try to meet the individual needs of children and take particular care with children who are having difficulties in learning. Individual assessments of children's needs are carried out and special educational programmes planned when required. This is in accordance with the national code of practice. We always take care to keep parents fully informed when special arrangements are made to meet children's needs.
Mrs Welch, our special needs co-ordinator, works closely with parents, the teaching staff and LEA advisers. There is a governor with special responsibility to monitor arrangements.
Clubs (extra- curricular activities)
A number of voluntary lunchtime and after- school clubs are run by the teaching staff: netball, model making, art, chess, recorders, drama, orchestra, soccer, cricket, athletics, cross country, bell-ringing, computers, gymnastics, choir, volleyball, dance. The exact range of the clubs will vary from term to term. The clubs usually run from 3.30 which is normal end of school time until 4.15 pm. All children are eligible to join the clubs so long as there are places available. Arrangements are made to care for the children in school in the event of a last minute club cancellation.
Sport and physical education
All children have two class PE lessons per week. In addition we organise extra curricular physical activities for all children. This means that we offer at least two and a half hours physical activity per child per week
Swimming lessons
We take our year four and five pupils for swimming lessons during the
autumn or summer terms. If at the end of Year 5 any of the children have
not managed to learn to swim at least one length of the pool we will
include them in the following year's swimming programme.
Swimming lessons are expensive and in order to help with the cost we
ask parents to make a voluntary contribution to pay for the coach transport
to the baths.
Child to Child
"I liked it when Man. City came in and did some football with
the school."
Max Andrews age 7
Discipline
Good behaviour is an important aim in itself as well as providing the basis for successful learning in school. We expect and maintain high standards of discipline in all school activities.
Our four basic rules for the children are:
Always do your best
Keep yourself and other people safe
Treat other people the way you would like to be treated yourself
Respect property.
Religious Worship
We start each day with a school assembly. The assemblies include worship of a broadly Christian character and typically comprise a hymn, prayer and story or lesson based on a religious or moral theme.
The children in every class give an assembly each term to which parents and grandparents are invited.
If parents request that their child is withdrawn from assemblies, alternative arrangements, under the supervision of a member of staff, will be made.
Ofsted says,
"The school's provision for spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is very good."
Instrument tuition
As well as the class music lessons we have recorder clubs and the school choir which are open to all children and include opportunities to perform in public. Our school orchestra encourages our young musicians and performs in public several times a year. We have instrumental tutors who visit the school to teach guitar, brass and woodwind. The costs of these lessons and the hire of the instruments are paid for by parents.
Educational visits
Each year the children take part in a number of visits to support their
National Curriculum work. These visits vary from year to year.
Typically children are taken to Bramall Hall, Manchester Museum, Chester,
the Lowry Gallery and Imperial War Museum as part of their history studies.
We run a very successful residential visit for our final year pupils,
which all pupils are encouraged to attend.
These visits are paid for by voluntary parental contributions and supported
in cases of need by school funds.
Child to Child
"I don’t think I have ever had a bad day at Dean Row." Callum Hubbard age 11
Homework
We expect our pupils to read at home every day and to practise and learn spellings, tables and number bonds. For some class topics we set homework tasks which extend over half a term. As the children progress through school we set more formal homework, adding regular weekly mathematics assignments and some English homework
We take care to inform parents of all homework requirements and ask parents to support the school and children. We expect children to spend on average, about half an hour nightly on homework of one sort or another. We are strict in our expectation that homework should be completed and handed in on time. To reinforce this expectation we run a homework club during one lunchtime each week for children who need that support.
Homework diaries are used to help home/school communication.
Attendance
It is vital to the best interests of the children that they benefit as much as possible from their school days. Any days lost by the children are opportunities gone for ever. Inevitably some school days will be missed due to illness and other unavoidable absences, but these really should be kept to the absolute minimum.
Parents are asked to try to ensure regular, punctual school attendance and to avoid taking children on holiday during the school term.
School begins at 9.00 am prompt. We welcome the children into the building from 8.50 and teachers are available from 8.40. Children should not arrive at school earlier than 8.40.
School ends at 3.30 pm, the lunch break is 12 noon until 1.00 pm
Visitors
We encourage visitors to the school where they can enrich the children's studies and experiences. Recently for example the school was visited by: Key Strings the MM Theate company, coaching staff from Stockport County Football Club, Bramall Tennis Club, programme planners from Granada TV, the Fire Brigade and Police.
Keeping the children safe
Once the children have been admitted into school all external doors are secured. They are fitted with a combination of bolts and digital locks, all of which the children can easily open from inside in case of an emergency.
Visitors are directed to the front door to gain admittance.
Child to Child
"At Dean Row we have help for children with learning difficulties
with games on the computer."
Robert Briggs age 11
"I like it at Dean Row because when you’re new in year three
you are close with a year six, your buddy."
Ellie Smith age 9
"
I like Dean
Row because the teachers are nice and kind and I’ve made lots of
friends. The work is fun and interesting." Ryan Jenkinson age 8
"Dean Row is a beacon school so it is one of the best schools in Britain. Dean Row is a school that is always being upgraded all the time." Fergus Taylor age 8
School Uniform
We strongly urge parents to ensure that children wear the school uniform and come to school clean and tidy. Uniform is important because it helps the children to develop a sense of belonging to our school community.
Boys: black/grey trousers, white polo shirt, red sweatshirt, black shoes.
Girls: black/grey skirt, black/grey trousers or culottes, white polo shirt, red sweatshirt, red and white checked or striped summer dress, black shoes.
Sweatshirts embroidered with our school logo are available from school.
For Sports: simple polo shirts or tee shirts in the colour of your child’s team (red, blue, green or yellow). Shorts either to match the team colour or black/white. Trainers for outside games.
What else do parents need to know?
Parents have a vitally important role to play in education and we do genuinely welcome parents into school to help, to discuss any problems, to review progress and to share in the making of plans for the future.
Rather than overload this prospectus we have a separate parents' handbook which we will give you just before your child is ready to start with us. This contains a great deal of detail about the way the school works, its routines and rules.
Our home/school agreement lays out the basis for our shared responsibility for ensuring the child’s best education. We hope that all parents and children will sign and abide by this agreement.
The school's Curriculum Statement is available to all parents and gives
a much more complete overview of what we teach, our priorities and the
methods we use. Please ask if you would like a copy.
We have an active and highly motivated parents' association the 'Friends of Dean Row'.
A number of fund raising and social activities are held during the year
for example a Christmas Fair, Fashion show, Family Fun Day, ......
All parents are welcome to join in with the activities of the Friends
and details are displayed on a notice board in the entrance hall.
An Invitation
We would be very pleased to show you around our school, or to welcome you to one of our open days. Please ring us on 01625 525908 to book an appointment.
Some legal points
Schools are required to include the following notes in their prospectuses:
In the teaching of Religious Education we follow the agreed Cheshire Syllabus.
There is a procedure whereby parents can make official complaints about how the governing body and the headteacher or the education authority carry out their responsibilities for the curriculum or religious worship. Parents wishing to invoke this procedure should contact the headteacher.
Parents are asked to note that the education authority does not accept any responsibility for the loss, or damage to personal property whilst on or left at the authority's premises.
The information in this prospectus, though up to date at the time of publication will be subject to review and amendment.
Assessment Results
In 2004 our year 6 pupils were assessed with regard to the National Curriculum. The target standard for children at the end of their junior education is level 4. Our results can be compared with the national averages achieved which are displayed alongside Dean Row's results. 54 children were assessed as follows (the figures in brackets are the national averages for comparison, where these are available):
DEAN ROW TEACHER ASSESSMENT FOR 2004
Percentage at each level *(may not total 100% due to rounding)
Below level 3 3 4 5 Pupils disapplied Pupils absent
English (overall) 2(6) 20(17) 41(48) 36(27) 2
Maths (6) 15(20) 29(44) 53(29) 2
Science (2) 8(10) 41(46) 49(41) 2
DEAN ROW TEST RESULTS FOR 2004
Percentage at each level *(may not total 100% due to rounding
Below level 3 3 4 5 Pupils disapplied Pupils absent
English (overall) 3(6) 12(17) 54 (48) 29(27) 2
Reading 3(7) 8(10) 40(39) 46(42) 2
Writing 5(8) 24(30) 56(45) 14(15) 2
Maths (6) 15(20) 36(44) 47(29) 2
Science (2) 7(10) 29(46) 63(41) 2
Attendance
The number of pupils on the school register during the school year to
May 2004= 214.
There has been an absence rate of 4.2%, of which 0.4 % were unauthorised.
Complaints
In the event that a parent wishes to make a complaint they should in
the first instance contact the headteacher. If the complaint is about
the headteacher it
should be directed to the chair of the school governors.
For further details please contact the headteacher, Mr Moore at the school
or alternatively the Area Officer, County Offices, Chapel Lane, Wilmslow.
Telephone 01625 534700
Oaklands
and Dean Row Schools’ Catchment Area, January 2003