General Information

ADMISSIONS, REVIEWS AND TRANSFERS

Admissions to the school are arranged through the Authority's Statementing and Admissions procedure.

Parents should contact the responsible officer for special educational needs for their area, (tel: Leeds 242 9111) to discuss the options and decide, through consultation, which school will best meet their child's needs.

Parents and professionals are welcome to visit the school, by arrangement, in order to see the facilities and speak to the staff. The visit may be used as a fact finding exercise without obligation on either side.

Each pupil has a statement of special educational needs, which is reviewed annually. The teachers report outlines the pupil's progress made towards the objectives on the statement. This is supported by reports from therapists, the school medical officer and, if appropriate, the educational psychologist. A pupil's statement may be revised at this time if his/her needs have changed.

There are occasions when parents, teaching or therapy staff feel that the needs of a pupil would be better served by a transfer to either a mainstream school or to a different special school. A review meeting will then be held, so that parents and staff can exchange information and come to an informed decision about the best placement for the pupil, and, if necessary, plan a smooth transition to the new school.

ATTENDANCE

An explanatory note should be sent to school following a pupil's absence and the class teacher should be informed, in advance, of forthcoming hospital appointments. We follow the LEA's attendance policy. Telephone messages may be left with school office staff to be passed on to the appropriate member of staff.

HOME/SCHOOL LIAISON

Parents are encouraged to contact school whenever they need to discuss their child's educational, social, physical or medical wellbeing. They are formally invited to meet teaching and therapy staff on Parents' Evenings. The 16+ produce a termly newsletter.

Home/school contact may be maintained by the use of weekly diaries, occasional newsletters or individual home/school books.

Home visits are made by school staff and by therapists, who can offer advice on equipment and suitable therapy programmes.

We have parents coffee mornings/workshops, usually held in our new parents facility - which has a créche to encourage those of you with younger children to come along. We have had sessions on a variety of subjects eg motability, respite care, behaviour and parents partnership.

EXTENDED SCHOOLS

We are developing the government's Extended Schools agenda which includes a weekly after-school youth club, holiday activity schemes and residentials. These extend curriculum opportunities for our children and young people.

FRIENDS OF JOHN JAMIESON

This is a group of parents who organise fund raising and social events for the school. All new parents are made aware of the 'Friends' and are encouraged to become involved in some aspect of their valuable work. Some of our parents feel isolated and the Friends social events can be a positive way to help overcome this isolation. The Friends endeavour to promote events which enable whole families to socialise in a relaxed setting.

A new committee was set up in Autumn 2005, those of you with an interest in becoming involved please contact the school, we need your support.

PASTORAL ORGANISATION

All members of staff have a pastoral role which ensures that each child receives the care and attention he/she needs.

The class teacher is usually the first point of contact with parents and will be able to resolve many of the problems which arise. Any problem concerning a pupil's health or physical well-being should be referred to the school nurse or the pupil's physiotherapist, who will take appropriate action.

The school is an Investors In Pupils school and through this each class has its own rules, motto and achievement board. Your child should be able to tell you all about this. The school has an active school council which enables them to influence school developments and supports their personalised learning.

HOLIDAYS

A list of the current year holiday dates is given at the back of this brochure. Would parents wishing to take children on holiday outside these dates please request the permission of the Headteacher at the earliest possible time.

HOMEWORK

It is recognised that homework in its traditional sense may be inappropriate for some of our pupils, for whom the content of the school day already proves to be very demanding. Homework may be set in some instances at the teachers' discretion. Support and encouragement from parents at home can greatly enhance the progress of pupils. To this end we inform parents of the curriculum topics, literacy books, activities for the term ahead and ask that you support the learning in those areas as far as practicable.

CHARGES FOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

The cost of many educational visits and activities are met from school funds. Parents are sometimes asked to contribute towards the cost of an educational visit. No pupil will be excluded from an educational visit if parents are unable to make a contribution.

DISCIPLINE

One of the major aims of the school is to foster a happy, relaxed atmosphere in which parents and staff can work together. Good standards of behaviour and positive attitudes to learning are promoted within the school environment.

The school has a behaviour policy which is shared with all staff. Additionally staff are regularly trained in the safe handling of pupils (as recommended by the LEA).

The class teacher usually deals with inappropriate behaviour supported by the Head of Department. When necessary, a strategy to alter such behaviour may be planned and communicated to all relevant staff, so that consistent approach is used. Any behaviour programme will be shared with parents in the first instance.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES

Many issues can be resolved by direct discussion with the staff involved. If this approach is unsuccessful, the headteacher will look for an acceptable solution. Parents who wish to take the matter further may then write formally to the Chair of the Governing Body. Relevant complaints can also be addressed to the Chief Education Leeds, or to the Health Authority.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Education For All (para 5.1) states: "We believe that Religious Education can play a central role in preparing all pupils for life in today's multi-faith Britain and can lead them to a greater understanding of the diversity of the global community."

Religious Education is an essential part of the curriculum and is timetabled throughout the school.

Themes reflect the broad traditions of Christian belief and those of other major religions, as well as moral issues which affect all our lives.

Pupils may be withdrawn from Religious Education and collective worship by parental request.

SEX EDUCATION

"Special schools have a particularly sensitive role to play. Children with learning difficulties are entitled to the same opportunity as other children to benefit from sex education. They may need more help than others in coping with the physical and emotional aspects of growing up, they may also need more help in learning what sort of behaviours are, and are not, acceptable, and in being warned and prepared against unacceptable behaviour in adults." (October 1993 circ. 5/94) John Jamieson students follow a sex education programme as outlined in the 1993 Education Act and which clearly follows LEA guidelines. The school has a clearly defined Sex Education policy which enables pupils of an appropriate age to be introduced to relevant issues with sensitivity. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from this area of the curriculum. All pupils will, however, study reproduction as part of the Science curriculum. Parents will be informed prior to sex education being delivered to their child.