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01792 207336/207196
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We understand that plans can change...
We feel strongly that the responsibility for the education and general development of the children should be shared by both school and home. With an understanding of each other’s role and co-operation between parents and teachers, the children have a tremendous advantage. A close link between home and school, a partnership, is therefore vital.
With this in mind, a dialogue with all relevant parties was undertaken in order that a 'Home School Agreement' could be produced (see Appendix A). Parents and pupils are invited to adopt the principles and to show their commitment by signing a copy of the agreement. The Headteacher signs the copy on behalf of the school. We try in various ways to keep you informed of your child's progress. Teachers frequently make time for consultation with parents. School reports are issued annually and there are 'Parents’ Evenings’ during the Autumn and Spring Terms. Regular posts on the school app keep you informed about what is going on.
Parents, as well as other family members and friends are encouraged to come to school and help, in whatever capacity they feel comfortable. People in the community have many skills and talents which they can share with us - cookery, art, craft, library assistants, listening to pupils read, ancillary tasks, sport. If there is any way in which you feel that you can help, please see either the Headteacher or any teacher.
The development of a close relationship between school and home demands more than close interest. It also needs the right mixture of space and trust. An appreciation of, and confidence in, each other's role makes the school a purposeful and happy place where children feel at ease, can work to reach their full potential and can gain maximum benefit from their schooling.
The school has a policy regarding Behaviour, Discipline and Bullying that can be viewed on request. These policies have been created in the interests of ensuring a safe, secure environment for all pupils.
Parents can do much to ensure that children grow up with a positive framework of values – even though this sometimes isn’t easy! There are many places you can turn to for help – us as a school, your G.P., other parents, and even the internet. Here is some advice from a useful website:
Good standards of behaviour are expected from all children. We encourage them to adopt a caring attitude towards one another and to treat everyone involved in the school with courtesy. The class teacher normally deals with any behavioural issues in the first instance, but in cases of serious or persistent behaviour issues, children will be referred to the Deputy Headteacher or Headteacher. Any serious concerns will, as a matter of course, be brought to your attention and we may require you to attend the school to discuss your child's behaviour. We expect your support in working together to correct poor behaviour should it arise, as this often helps to 'nip it in the bud'.
There are very high expectations of staff and of pupils, but parents have a profound impact on whether these expectations are met.
Please give your child support in their daily school life:
Our behaviour policy encourages children to choose positive actions and as parents/carers you should occasionally receive telephone calls, certificates or letters from the school to say how well your child is doing. ‘Positive Behaviour’ means that pupils are recognized for their efforts and given increasing responsibility.
A child who misbehaves is given a choice of changing his/her behaviour or accepting clear sanctions. If an initial verbal warning does not work then parents will be informed and asked to help. Both school and home should work together to help the child find a way forward. Any behaviour which places other children at risk will lead to temporary exclusion until assurance is given that matters will improve. Bullying such as racism and sexism has zero tolerance here.
At Dunvant the school has adopted a 'Golden Time' approach to rewarding good behaviour. Golden Time is free choice of a wide range of activities: using the computer, art/craft activities, etc. Each week children have the right to thirty minutes of 'Golden Time'.
Mrs K Williams is the member of staff with responsibility for Looked–After Children (LAC).
On Friday of each week the school holds a Special Assembly where we celebrate together. This may be in the form of whole school successes (e.g. fund raising for charity), or group successes (e.g. sporting achievement) or individual success (e.g. improvement in behaviour, kindness, outstanding work or effort). This is an opportunity for the whole school community to reflect upon the many successes that are achieved and to reinforce our aim that positive issues will be acknowledged and rewarded.
If your child becomes ill or has an accident while in school we would, of course, contact you immediately so that you may collect him/her. For this reason, at the beginning of every school year we ask you to update the information that we have to ensure that it is the most recent. If you should move address or change telephone numbers, please let us know in writing or via the school app. This is also for safety reasons, and is in your child's interests. Also in the interests of safety, all medication is stored in the school office with a copy of the form for the administration of medicines.
Fire drills and school evacuations, as a safety precaution, are regularly carried out in line with Fire Brigade guidelines.
Security arrangements for pupils, staff and school premises are a priority. In the interests of safety, the school has security locks fitted to all external doors. These prevent unauthorised access from outside, while allowing easy exit in an emergency. The school has implemented its own security procedure, which is brought to the attention of all pupils, parents and staff. Visitors, including parents, are requested to cooperate with this procedure, by:
No Cars are allowed on school grounds unless explicit permission is given by the Headteacher.
At Dunvant Primary School we aim to provide a stimulating and secure environment where:
We aim to provide a well-resourced, broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum, relevant to the needs of each child, so that children can learn:
and can become:
and can develop the skills they need to prepare for future life in an increasingly technological world.
| Term | Term begins | Mid-term holiday begins | Mid-term holiday ends | Term ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn 2025 | ||||
| Spring 2026 | ||||
| Summer 2026 |
Planned Inset days 25/26:
1st and 2nd of September
Friday the 19th of December
Monday the 5th of January
Monday the 5th of June
Monday the 20th of July
Children are asked to be on the school premises no earlier than 8.35 a.m., and no later than 8.55 a.m. (unless attending Breakfast Club). We impress upon children the importance of punctuality and ask parents to support us by ensuring that their child is in school at an appropriate time; your child's learning is disrupted if they are late, and other children's learning is disrupted by latecomers disturbing the class.
Session Times:
Parents have agreed that they would prefer a school uniform. Pupils who attend Dunvant Primary School should be proud to belong to the school and should wish to be identified with us by wearing our distinctive school uniform. The uniform list is kept as brief as possible and with as much variation within the list as is reasonable, so as to avoid undue expenditure on the part of parents. An order form for uniform, listing current prices, is available from the school secretary.
The co-operation of parents in ensuring a full and correct maintenance of the uniform is requested. It is suggested that all items of school clothing be clearly marked with the pupil's name.
Parents are expected to provide their children with shorts, T-shirts, jogging bottoms, trainers/gym shoes, swimming costume etc. for PE, Drama and Games.
Children are discouraged from wearing jewellery, other than a watch and stud earring, in school. They can be dangerous during practical lessons and at play times and cause upset when lost or damaged. Children may wear stud earrings only but these must be removed for safety reasons during PE, swimming, Drama and Games lessons.
Children are provided with all equipment needed for use at school. If items of school property are lost or deliberately damaged, parents will be asked to pay for replacement.
Parents will sometimes be asked to pay a voluntary financial contribution towards educational visits and field studies. No child will be refused participation in an educational activity because the parent is unable or unwilling to contribute. Regretfully, activities will have to be cancelled if insufficient money is raised to cover costs.
The school is firmly committed to Curriculum for Wales, where curricular areas are integrated into a widely embracing theme. We believe that this method of organising our curriculum provides the most relevance for children and helps the cross-fertilisation of knowledge and skills. However, in order to ensure coverage of the Curriculum for Wales, aspects of some subjects may be taught discreetly. Each class teacher works on a two-year cycle, covering up to six major themes during that period. Where possible and suitable, first hand experiences are incorporated into school activities to enrich children's education.
Educational visits, field studies, use of the local environment and visiting artisans are all seen as experiences to complement and enrich our school curriculum and are regularly incorporated into class work.
Children who have additional educational needs are integrated into mainstream classes, with the Classteacher and ALNCO jointly consulting on Individual Development Plan of education. Extra help is available, while staffing resources allow, for pupils who do not have a IDP but are considered to require support. Learning Support Assistants provide support under the management and guidance of the Classteacher and ALNCO.
Every effort is made to provide for pupils who are more able and who need to 'challenged' further. The school has a policy for Additional Educational needs, which can be viewed on request.
The progress of Looked-After Children (LAC) is regularly reviewed, and the school plays a full part in Review Meetings.
Dunvant Primary School is committed to the provision of equal opportunities for all, irrespective of creed, colour, race, religion or gender. A copy of the Equal Opportunities Plan is available for viewing, on request.
There are a sufficient number of toilets for children, including two disabled-access toilets suitable for pupils and visitors. There is also a changing bed and changing room with toilet available should it be required. The toilets are cleaned daily by the school cleaners, and have daily inspections by the Site Manager to ensure that supplies are replenished.
The Governing Body has agreed a formal policy of relationships education throughout the school. For example, children learn from a very young age that there are differences between boys and girls, and frequently understand through personal experience that babies live in mummy’s tummy! In the Junior years in general, and in Years 5 and 6 in particular, relationships education lessons incorporate developing the appropriate vocabulary for describing the human body, and help children to understand how babies are made. This is always handled sensitively, and children are encouraged to discuss any issues they might have with their parents. We frequently involve external parties (e.g. the local Health Visitor) in our relationships education lessons. The policy for relationships education can be viewed upon request.
RVE is a compulsory element within the curriculum and is taught in accordance with the Curriculum for Wales agreed content. It is taught, as far as possible, through the theme studied by the class, with the emphasis on Christianity while recognising other faiths. A collective act of reflection is undertaken every day. Children whose parents do not wish them to attend assembly can have alternative provision made for their preferred act of worship within the school. Regular contributions to the school assemblies are made from such diverse organisations and representatives as N.S.P.C.C., N.C.H., R.S.P.C.A., the community constable and various religious ministers.
Welsh is taught throughout the school as a second language. The school follows teaching schemes and resources recommended by the local education authority, which mainly aim for oral proficiency. However, the National Curriculum requires certain levels of competence in writing and reading Welsh, which children will be expected to attain by Year 6. It is the school's aim to use the Welsh language in such a way as to ensure that children see, hear and use it as a natural part of school life. It is given a prominent role in many school activities. Children also have an opportunity to learn about the culture and heritage, as well as the language of Wales, through linked topic activities and St. David's Day celebrations. Our teaching of Welsh is supported by the team of peripatetic Welsh teachers, 'Athrawon Bro', who work alongside teachers and pupils in promoting the Welsh language.
We liaise closely with our colleagues at our partner secondary school to ensure continuity in the teaching of Welsh.
We are developing our home learning provision, in conjunction with parent and carer views. Home learning should build upon the learning in school and offer parents a clear insight into what children are learning.
Children are encouraged to take reading books home every night to read to someone at home. Parents are asked to become involved with their child's learning by supervising and supporting all work done at home and by encouraging him/her to concentrate upon his/her homework.
If your child is due to attend a medical, doctor, dental or optician appointment, please let us know in advance either by sending the appointment card or a written note to school or message us via the school app. This will be recorded in the register as an authorised absence.
Children soon get behind in their work if they miss even odd days from school, so please do not keep them away unless they are unwell or there is some family crisis.
If your child is absent due to ill health, we ask that you contact the school, either by telephone or via the school app on the first day of illness to say that your child is not expected. In this way, we can be sure that your child has not been involved in an accident on the way to school. At the same time, you can give us an indication of approximately how long your child will be away from school, and can let us know if you require homework for your child if he/she is well enough to do it.
If your child must take prescribed medicines in school, we require you to complete a form 'Request for the administration of prescribed medicine in school' which can be found on the school app. We will not administer any medicines without the authorisation of this form. This is for safety reasons and in your child's interests. Medicines that we administer must be those that can be taken by the child themselves (e.g. tablets, asthma pump or medicine). We will not administer ointments or suppositories. If circumstances relating to your child's health alter at any time, please let us know in writing, in order for us to amend our records.
Education Welfare Officers are employed by the Education Authority to act as liaison between parents and school. They are much more than attendance officers of the past and are now more like social workers attached to the education service. However, one of their tasks remains the enforcement of rules concerning school attendance. The Education Welfare Officer can also help with information concerning free school meals and any other matter affecting your child's welfare.
Parents are encouraged not to take holidays during term time, however if this is unavoidable you are required to complete a form 'Request for leave of absence for annual holiday', available on the school app.
School lunches are cooked on the premises. The variety of meals provided reflects a balanced, healthy diet. There is usually a choice of meals. Squash, milk or water is provided as a drink with the school lunch. Children may either have a cooked meal in school, bring packed lunches or go home.
During lunchtime children are supervised by school staff. In addition, the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher is available if necessary. We use the online system ‘Ipay’ for lunch payments. We can help you to set this up when necessary.
Children are offered the opportunity to participate in many after school clubs such as football, rugby, board games, healthy hearts to name but a few.
The school regularly holds concerts and shows. All children are encouraged to play a part in the productions.
Strong involvement in extra-curricular sporting activities and competitions is a feature of the school. Occasionally, children may be required to stay behind after school for coaching in the various sports.
The school has a Breakfast Club to provide a good start to the day. Breakfast Club is available from 7:30 and children can start the day with some cereal or toast, with fruit juice or milk. They can take part in activities with friends. The Breakfast Club is free of charge after 8.15 under a Wales Government initiative.
Dunvant Primary School regularly gets involved in all manner of fund-raising and competitive activities. We believe that by incorporating such aspects into the life of the school, we maintain a strong, positive perception of Dunvant Primary School, not only from within, but from the community at large.
Your child will also be assessed on entry into Dunvant Primary School. Information gathered from these assessments is used to determine progress of individuals and to inform the teaching of individuals, groups of pupils and the class. We conduct termly pupil progress reviews for all pupils, to check progress and attainment.
All classes have PE and Games lessons. Parents are expected to support P.E. lessons by ensuring that suitable kit is brought to school at the start of term (which is returned home every holiday for washing). Swimming lessons are provided at Penyrheol Comprehensive School’s swimming pool, for all Junior pupils in rota. The school makes full use of any opportunities for coaching from experienced sports people.
A Sports Day is held annually during the Summer Term. The community is invited to join this event as a spectator or supervisor for team games.
Extra-curricular sports activities are offered depending on the season (e.g. football, rugby, netball).
As stated earlier, we welcome parental involvement at all levels. If you have any spare time to come into school and work with us, you will be made very welcome. When your child starts at Dunvant Primary School there are a number of opportunities for the teacher and parent to get together to discuss ways in which children can be helped at home.
The school app uses a newsfeed and a calendar of events so you will always know what is going on.
You can contact us or find out information by:
During the Autumn and Spring terms you will be given the opportunity to discuss your child's progress with the Classteacher. A written report is provided in July.
Parents and the wider community are invited to contribute to school life by:
All this helps enrich the curriculum and experiences that we offer children.
If you have a message or quick question to ask please see your child’s teacher when doors open at 8.30am or pop in immediately after school. If you would like a longer time to talk with either the Classteacher or the Headteacher, a time can be arranged. Staff are very willing to talk with parents, but please, not when they are teaching.
The school has a comprehensive list of policies regarding the curriculum and other aspects of the school's life. If you wish to see some aspect of the school’s documentation, please contact the Headteacher to make arrangements to view them.
What do you do if you are not satisfied with your child's education or if you have a complaint?
01792 207336/207196
To view our full accessibility information, please see our Accessibility Statement.