Every Child Matters

The Every Child Matters agenda was introduced and Arden embraced it wholeheartedly. It covers five key areas:

• Be Healthy
• Be Safe
• Enjoy and Achieve
• Make a Positive Contribution
• Achieve Economic Well-Being

Arden wants children to achieve the best academically that they can, but at the same time it is important to develop the whole child, and prepare them fully for the future.

We try and give a range of experiences to the children to ensure they enjoy school and gain something from everything they do. This is done in a range of ways:

Mentoring

We have three highly qualified and experienced staff who support children throughout the day. Ms Trevena, our Nurture Teacher, and our two Learning Mentors, Mrs Rana and Mr Khan, work with individuals and small groups who are facing a difficulty that stops them from learning and doing their best.

These problems can be for a range of reasons - behaviour, attitude, lack of confidence, bereavement, social skills, external issues, lack of self-control, attendance and many more. Children get skilful guidance and strategies to improve.

Our Learning Mentors are professionally trained to remove barriers to individual pupils learning, both in and out of school. Our Learning Mentors:

• Target help on those who most need it - those with the most or biggest barriers to learning.
• Help raise standards and aspirations of children. Thereby helping to remove barriers to learning, eg. behaviour, achievement, etc.
• Provide a complimentary service to existing teachers and pastoral staff in school. Including other services outside school, eg. social, youth services, education welfare service, etc.
• Work with families in supporting their children and assisting in any outside schools aspects causing barriers to learning.
• Support children and families through playground organisation, interpreting, home visits, mediation leading assemblies, sport support, adult learning and informal family support.

Children know they can come to the Every Child Matters Team in 'The Pulse', the room that is at the heart of the school, when they need support.

There is also a worry box in each classroom. If the children are worried, upset or anxious they can write their name, put it in the worry box and Mrs Trevena will have a chat with them in the pulse room.

Children's Voice

As a school we need to know what we do well and what children think. Children have the chance to discuss opinions and ideas in class lessons, via Circle Time and Citizenship.

We also have a Pupil Council who represent their classes. They meet regularly and look at issues that may affect the school - recently they have looked at litter, play equipment, rewards, dinners and books. They then go back and consult the children before the next meeting.

Mr Lacey and Mrs Shergill hold tea parties. They invite children from a range of classes and discuss what the children like about the school, what they are not keen on and what they would like to see change. The minutes are shared with staff and displayed and many actions have resulted from this, whether it be simple things like mending locks on toilet doors to larger things like playground markings and equipment for lessons.

Wake Up, Shake Up

We all work best when we are not too sleepy and feel more alive. Children learn short routines to a range of music to enable them to move their limbs and muscles, raise their heart rate and stimulate their brain to work.

PSHE and Citizenship

PSHE stands for Personal, Social and Health Education and, with Citizenship, has been a timetabled part of our curriculum for many years.

Children learn how to look after themselves, how to work and play with others, how to be part of the school and the community and skills that will help them as they move on in life.

Physical Education

We ensure all children get at least two hours of taught physical education each week, through games, gymnastics, dance, exercise and outdoor education. All children have a smart school PE kit that should be in school every day in case the opportunity arises for more PE.

All children go swimming for three school years and we aim to have all children swimming at least a width by the time they leave the school. The children go to Sparkhill baths, and we hope many will also go with their families at weekends and in holidays, as it is free for children and it is important to be able to swim.

There are opportunities for children to take part in sports clubs, where skills are learned for a range of activities.

Healthy School

The school achieved its second Healthy Schools Award last year. It recognises how hard we work to make children and families aware of how to stay healthy.

The Life Education Van visits every year to help children understand how to stay fit and the dangers of being tempted by drugs, smoking, alcohol and peer group pressure, as well as looking after ourselves, how our body works and making friends.

The school meals are healthy and nutritious, with our very own salad cart, water and juice available, bread available and a wide choice of fish, Halal meat and meat-free dishes every day. There is always a choice of vegetables and fruit available. Menus have been carefully designed by the cook and Headteacher.

We work with children closely to try and avoid obesity and to think about good diets and exercise. We have rowing machines in school to work with children, especially those who find PE a challenge.

Open Your Mind

We have developed strong links with the Educational Business Partnership to try and raise aspirations for our pupils and families.

A room has been allocated which will allow children to learn about different jobs and careers that may interest them and the skills and qualifications they will need to do these. We are calling this project Open Your Mind. The room is being developed and we have a link with the celebrated photographer Ming De Nasty who is helping us set up this exciting space.

See some of the work Year 5 have been doing with Ming, the photographer.

Bereavement Support for your child at Arden School

It is often difficult for adults to understand the grief of a bereaved child. Sometimes a child can feel alone and isolated if someone close to them has died. A child might even show signs of sadness, guilt or anger.

Arden Primary School offers support to children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or close family member.

If you feel that a child in your care would benefit from support, please ask at the school office to speak to Mrs Trevena. If you would prefer to just notify the school, speak to the Office Manager, Mrs Taylor at the school office or phone the school.