Section A Introduction.
For the purpose of this assessment I have researched and based the unit upon Key Stage one, which cover the primary academic years one and two; the age ranges of the children within these years are between five and seven years of age. Children of this age must attend a primary school; in addition the school can be of their parents own choosing this is in order for children to have their educational learning needs met within the specific sector of children and young people. The primary school in question aims to provide free education for all children within its educational setting, which follows the National Curriculum, and caters for children between the ages of four - eleven years. As the school is a statutory setting, the school includes organisations that are controlled, managed and funded by the Government. This Government funding is applied to all primary and secondary schools, to all children and is funded by the tax- payer and those who pay national insurance contributions. The school can be accessed by an application to the local authority.
In addition to its statutory funding, according to the schools website, the school is allotted additional funding, this extra funding is called a pupil premium funding. It is stated within their website that ’This funding which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address some of the underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals the funding is aimed at tackling disadvantages and to reach the children who need it most.’ The primary school I have chosen for the purpose of this unit has a population of approximately three hundred pupils, from foundation stage pupils through to year six pupils. In addition to these classes, the school provides a hearing impaired unit, within this unit are pupils of various ages who access the National Curriculum with staff specially trained in sign language and teaching skills relevant to support children with a hearing impairment. Specialist staff who also visit the unit include school nurses and hospital that can support hearing impaired children.
In order for pupils to keep active and develop their physical educational needs the school provides an indoor sports activity area (the main hall, which doubles as a dining area) this area provides children with access to apparatus that can help children with balance, co-ordination and improve their athletic skills. The school offers out of school activities, such as football and athletics, this helps pupils become more confident with their chosen activity. The outdoor recreational area consists of both grassy and concrete play areas, a football pitch, climbing apparatus and netball posts.
A number of pupils can attend the breakfast and after school clubs where they are given meals and provided with fun activities, and toys and games. Pupils pay a small fee to attend these clubs, some parents use these clubs for child care, whereas others allow their children to attend to develop their social skills with their peers.
Children with disabilities are brought to the school by either taxi or if need a disability bus, where parents are unable to provide transportation to and from school.
The school nurse supports children in school with any health needs for example if a child is diabetic she will work with the staff in school to educate them around diabetes and offer an individualised plan of care for these children. The school nurse also provides hearing and vision testing for reception pupils, weighs and measures pupils from reception to year six as part of the National Childhood Measurement programme.
Some of the teaching staff have additional roles that they provide within the school, I have been informed by school staff that some teachers take on extra curricular activities with pupils, whereas others such as the deputy head teacher might take a lead for roles such as, child protection.
The topic, which I have