 Salcombe Primary School
Download a copy of our school prospectus here
Starting School - Admissions Policy & Procedures
It is Devon Education Authority's policy for there to be two points of admission during the year: Your child will commence full time education in the academic year of their fifth birthday. Children born between 1st September and 28th/29th February commence school in September. Children born between 1st March and 31st August commence school in January.
This can all depend on the individual child's readiness to start school. This is discussed wherever deemed to be necessary and parental preference is agreed wherever possible. Children are invited into school for regular afternoons and lunch times before they initially begin full time school in Reception Year, South Sands. For further details please refer to the loose sheets at the back of this prospectus.
School Organisation
We aim to ensure that class sizes are kept small depending on pupil numbers. At present we have three classes:
South Sands Foundation & Year 1
Starehole Bay Years 2 & 3
Snapes Point Years 4, 5 & 6
We have strong links with 2 Pre Schools in the town. One Pre School is situated on site and children in all classes have close contact with the younger children through support with reading, helping with lunches, drama performances and circle time. At the end of the children's primary education they usually transfer to Kingsbridge Community College. We ensure that all children are well prepared for this transition and take part in a wide variety of lessons. These lessons enable them to work alongside staff in many subjects.
Our Day
Our school doors open for the children at 8.45am. We would ask that children are supervised by parents and carers before this time. All teaching staff are available at the entrance to discuss informal matters. If you wish to speak to your teacher for a longer period of time then please arrange for an appointment with the administrator in the office.
What to Wear
We encourage the children at Salcombe to take pride in their appearance to give them a sense of belonging. Our uniform is smart, yet practical and affordable. We request that all uniform and Games kit be clearly named. 
Physical Education
Does your child enjoy football or swimming; netball or archery; dance or gymnastics? These are just some of the sporting activities we can offer. We run teams in Football, Tag Rugby, Netball and Kwik Cricket and have had a successful year all round. We encourage children to join teams and represent their School in matches against other schools and by attending festivals and tournaments in a variety of sports set up by local community colleges and other sporting organisations.
The School Curriculum
Our curriculum is constructed from a blend of experience we believe to be important and the National Curriculum with its five 'core' subjects - English, Mathematics, Science, Information Technology and  Religious Education. The other subjects we teach, known as foundation subject, are Art, Design Technology, History, Geography, Music, Physical Education and Personal, Social and Health Education including Citizenship. The children in the Reception year follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum.
Recognising the importance that practical experiences play in a child's development, we frequently organise special events to celebrate the arts. Our subjects are taught through themes to bring relevance to the children's learning.
Whilst supporting all children's learning towards higher levels of achievement we believe in the value of placing the arts in the centre of all curriculum planning to ensure enjoyment and cross-curricular understanding.
Early Years
As your children come into school they will enter a learning environment of imagination and excitement. They will explore some stories that they know, learn new ones; paint what they see and what is in their mind; make models in a variety of materials. They will discover new skills, explore new worlds; learn to write and read, and make new friends.
Behaviour
We emphasise the importance of good behaviour, kindness to one another, and respect and consideration towards others within the whole school community. Our whole school ethos celebrates positive behaviour and an enthusiasm for learning. The children's outstanding behaviour is frequently praised by members of the public when they are involved in outdoor residentials and trips. Children are encouraged to be responsible for their own standards and values.
We use a reward system of stickers, hard work certificates and the presentation of cups for exemplar behaviour, endeavour and curriculum improvement to recognise the efforts made by all the children.
Extra Curricular Activities
 There are a number of clubs organised after school providing important opportunities for children, parents and members of staff to develop new interests and skills. Clubs offered to all children alike include football, netball, archery, pottery, art and craft and chess. We are always looking to provide new activities so please bring your talents and skills to us.
We encourage participation in the many activities through other organisations such as Beaford Arts, the Sports Council and local clubs - tennis, rowing, etc.
We invite children in South Sandsto take part in a one night residential at Overbecks, Starehole Bay three nights at Start Bay and Snapes Point four nights on Dartmoor. During the year we provide many stimulating trips and regularly invite interesting visitors into school e.g. Theatre Alibi, Salcombe Maritime Museum, Morwellham Quay and London.
Health & Fitness
 We encourage a healthy lifestyle in all the children, from sporting activities and belonging to games teams to healthy eating at lunchtime and the choice of fruit at breaktime. We believe that a healthy mind is also supported by exercise and provide aerobic exercise sessions at the beginning of the day in order to encourage a brisk start.
Children's Special Needs
We believe that every child is special and make every effort to support each child's special needs, either because they need extra help and time to learn or because they need extra challenges. Every effort is made to identify the special needs of these children through regular assessment and special programmes of work are created for them, sometimes working with a teaching assistant in small groups. Where necessary parents are asked to support our requests for opinions of specialist county staff as to how we might best support children with these particular needs.
Healthy School
 All children are actively encouraged to drink regularly and eat a piece of fruit or vegetable at morning break. South Sands and Starehole Bay benefit from having fruit as part of the Healthy Schools Programme. we believe in the importance of encouraging children to lead an active and healthy lifestyle, teaching them the value of exercise and a healthy way of living. We promote healthy lunches and do not allow chocolate or biscuits. All children are asked to bring a bottle of drinking water into lessons to prevent dehydration.
Collective Worship
We at Salcombe Church of England Primary School encourage children to be kind, considerate, tolerant and helpful, to treat others with care and respect and work to help them to develop and understanding of their world.
We consider our own thoughts and beliefs, both in a class time and during a daily whole school act of Christian worship. The school's collective worship actively promotes spiritual, moral and cultural development within our caring community. To enrich and broaden children's experiences the school invites different speakers from different denominations, arranges visits to local churches and places of worship, and works closely with the Holy Trinity Church.
Parents may if they wish, request that their child be wholly or partly excused from participation in assembly.
Religious Education
At Salcombe we follow the Devon Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. All our children are introduced to the beliefs and customs of other world religions. Parents may, if they wish, request that their child be excused from participation in R.E.
As a learning community we believe that everyone is entitled to equality of opportunity at Salcombe Church of England Primary School regardless of faith, gender, race, colour or ability.
Child Safety
 The School implements a rigorous and robust recruitment process and has proactive safeguarding procedures in place that address inappropriate behavior.
The school has a Child Protection Officer and a Governor designated for the Protection of Children.
There is an open dialogue in school amongst all staff to ensure unsafe practice is discussed and rectified; and there is a culture of awareness, openness and vigilance.
School Council
We are proud of our School Council as through the School's Council all children have a voice in school decision-making. They also learn to listen to others and recognise themselves as worthwhile individuals with a right to be heard.
Our Governors
 Our governors are committed, hard-working members of our school community. Parent Governors hold Governors' and Parents' Forums each term for parents to discuss any issues. All Governors work for the benefit of all our children to ensure the highest possible standards of teaching and learning, within a happy, positive, safe and caring environment.
Our Parents
Each parent is encouraged to join our active and successful Parents, Teachers and Friends Association. Our P.T.F.A holds many fundraising activities including boat raffles, quiz nights, discos etc. and uses the funds to contribute towards special visits and visitors for the children.
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