What are INSET days?  INSET stands for In Service Training. All schools in England have five INSET days every year when they are closed to pupils to allow for staff training. They are an important part of staff training and development, ensuring that staff stay up to date with latest developments and so education in our school remains ‘cutting edge’.

What are Key Stage 1 and 2 (KS1 and KS2)?  Key Stage 1 is Years 1 and 2 (age 5-7). Key Stage 2 is Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (age 7-11).

What is the national curriculum?   The national curriculum outlines what all children should be taught in each Key Stage. To find out more go to https://curriculum.qca.org.uk/

What are SATs?  They are Statutory Assessment Tasks. These are national tasks / tests which are used to assess all children at the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2) and the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 6). The SAT results give a ‘snapshot’ of children’s attainment; in other words how they achieved in particular tasks or tests taken on as specific day / week.

What is Teacher Assessment? This is the teachers’ judgement about the progress and attainment of a child. This judgement will be made based on evidence gathered over a period of time and from a range of pieces of work, together with test results. It is usually a more reliable judgement of a child’s attainment than a test result alone.

What is an LSA?  An LSA is a Learning Support Assistant. This is somebody who supports learning in the classroom. Sometimes they will support individual children, at other times they may work with a group or with the whole class.

What is PPA time?  This is Planning, Preparation and Assessment time; all teachers are entitled to PPA time.

What is a Parent Celebration Assembly?  These Assemblies happen once a week on a Friday. They are an opportunity to recognise and reward children’s particular achievements. Children receive certificates. Other achievements, such as sporting successes, completed behaviour charts and achievements outside school are shared and celebrated too.

When do we get a school report for our children?  School reports are issued to all the children at the start of the Summer term for Y3, 4 & 5 with Y6 recieiving theirs towards the end of the year after the SATs results have been published.

How do I give feedback about my child to teachers?  There are two parent consultation evenings every year when you can make an appointment to discuss your child’s progress with their teacher(s). In addition, teachers are always happy to talk at the end of the school day. If you’d like to talk for a bit longer, then ask your child’s teacher if you can arrange a time that is convenient for you both. You can do this at any time of the year. Further to this, all staff have email addresses that can be used as a means of communication.

How do I contact the Headteacher?   You can do one of a number of things. 1) Call in to the school office and make an appointment.  2) Email school FAO Mr Russell on: office@stalhamacademy.co.uk or 3) Write a letter.  Our Headteacher, Glenn Russell is always happy to meet with you.

When do my children sit their SATs?  SATs are taken towards the end of Year 6 (a specific SAT week is set nationally every year, usually the second or third week of May).

Is PE kit compulsory?  Yes. This is for health and safety reasons. Our PE kit consists of a white T-shirt, blue or black shorts or track-suit bottoms and black gym-shoes.  For PE in the hall when children are using the apparatus, shorts must be worn. For other PE activities, the children can choose if they wear shorts or track-suit bottoms. Sweat shirts can be worn for outdoor PE. No jewellery or watches can be worn and long hair needs to be tied back.

Where is the lost property kept?   Lost property can be found in the main corridor just outside the entrance to our school library. This lost property is also displayed in the  main hall at the end of each term where parents are encouraged to check through for missing items.  All lost property is taken to a charity shop at the end of the school year. Please sew name labels or write your child's name in their clothing.