Prospectus On Line

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

PUBLIC ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION IN LEA MAINTAINED SCHOOLS

Regulations 5(5) and 6 of the 1981 Information Regulations require Head Teachers to make available information about the items listed below, and contain provisions about access to up-to-date copies of the relevant documents which are:

• The LA’s statement of curriculum policy and, where it exists, the governing body’s statement of curriculum aims.
• Any statutory instruments (including statutory orders for National Curriculum subjects), Circulars and administrative memoranda relating to powers and duties and Chapter 1 of the Education Reform Act 1988 (The Curriculum) which are sent to schools by the Department of Education.
• Any published reports of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Schools which refer expressly to the school.
• Any schemes of work currently used by teachers in the school.
• Any syllabuses followed, whether for public examination or otherwise.
• A full copy of the arrangements for the consideration of complaints about the school; curriculum made by the LA, and approval by the Secretary of State under Section 23 of the Education Reform Act.
• The LA’s agreed syllabus for Religious Education.

OPEN ACCESS TO RECORDS

The LA has introduced the policy of schools keeping Pupil Profiles and Records. An LA folder is opened for each child admitted to the school. The folder, which will be added to and reviewed annually, will also be passed to the child’s next school, including secondary level.

The folder will hold the following information:-

1. Name, address, date of birth etc.
2. Information concerning the child’s personal circumstances
3. Reports and records of the child’s achievements.

It is the LA’s policy to provide open access to all records of pupils and employees. Parents may, therefore, if they wish, ask to see their children’s records by appointment with the Head Teacher. Records will be confidential to all except those who have rightful access to them.

INSURANCE - PERSONAL ACCIDENT

Parents should be aware that there is no universal personal accident cover for school children. Special arrangements are, however, made in this respect for school children involved in “work experience” activities. Because it has no insurable interest, the Council’s policies cannot extend to cover pupils engaged on educational visits, school journeys etc, although the general liability policy protects the Council against the consequences of actions brought against it on behalf of pupils. Insurance is normally taken out by schools for visits abroad and also for visits in this country involving an overnight stay. Parents are advised to check with the Head Teacher for more detailed information. Parents are, of course, at liberty to take out insurance on an individual basis should they want additional cover for their children.

CHARGING POLICY FOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

We have adopted a policy on charging for school activities that reflects the conditions set out in the Education Reform Act 1988. Broadly, this states that education in school is free. The school may ask for voluntary contributions to cover the cost of educational visits. If the total amount of contributions does not cover the cost of the visit then the visit will not normally take place.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE CURRICULUM AND RELIGIOUS WORSHIP

This document is available for inspection at all schools maintained by the LA, Public Libraries and Education Offices. A copy will be given, if desired, to any person wishing to make a complaint under these arrangements and the LA will provide a copy of the information in languages other than English, if requested to do so. A copy of the Circular of Guidance issued by the former Department of Education and Science (DES1/89) will also be made available for inspection. A charge of £1.00 will, however, be made for copies of the Circular which complainants may wish to retain.

The school also subscribes to the LA scheme for resolving general complaints which may be made against the school, for example, in relation to school rules or policies. The school will always try to resolve difficulties or complaints at the earliest possible stage through discussion between teachers and parents or head and parents. Occasionally it may be necessary to refer a matter to a small sub-committee of Governors, if it cannot be settled by members of the teaching staff.

Should it still prove impossible to resolve the complaint following consideration by the governors, it can be referred to an independent panel set up by the LA and consisting of County Councillor, a governor and a parent, none of whom would have a connection with the school or the complainant. The members of the panel would be advised by a senior officer and would all have received training in, or have had previous experience of, the working of appeals committees.

The complainant (or representative) and the school will be able to put their case and would seek to reach a prior agreement to accept the findings of the independent panel.