TOR
BANK POLICY STATEMENT
Tor Bank is a community school committed to an inclusive agenda for all pupils. We seek to provide an ‘enriched’ curriculum for each individual pupil in an environment which enables them to learn happily and effectively. We strive to work in collaboration with parents to meet the ‘holistic needs’ of each individual pupil throughout their schooling career.
Throughout all aspects of teaching, learning and development, pupils are presented with curriculum strategies and opportunities specifically designed to help them to make connections with the world in which they are expected to live presently and in the future. We strongly believe that connected learning will help our pupils to make sense of the world they are expected to live in and therefore realise their full potential.
The curriculum offered is designed to meet
both the
The curriculum offered at Tor Bank also aims to provide relevant learning opportunities to enable each young person to develop as an individual and as a contributor to the local economy and the environment. The key elements there that under pin our curriculum are implied in the cross curricular themes we use to deliver our curriculum:
We are confident we can meet the needs of
all pupils attending the safe and secure environment at
“We are a dedicated team of professionals who believe
that we have the knowledge, skills and expertise to meet the holistic needs of
your child.”
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Tor Bank is a Controlled,
The school is under the control of a Board of Governors who assist the Principal and the Management Team in the management of finance, staffing, the curriculum and all aspects of school life.
Address
BT16 1RG
Type of School Controlled
Chairman of B.O.G Mr D Wilton
Principal Mr C Davis
Vice Principal Mrs. P. Hope
Leadership Team Mr. J. Skarmoutsos
Mrs. R. Donald
Mr. B. Reading
Miss S Holmes
School Secretaries Mrs G Carson (Full-time)
Mrs P Hutchinson (Part-time)
Building Supervisor Mr Trevor Cummins
ADMISSIONS POLICY
Prospective
parents are welcome to visit the school at any time by appointment with the
Principal or Vice Principal.
Special Education Officer
SEELB Headquarters
Dundonald
All admissions are in accordance with the Regulation & Procedures laid down by Articles 29-33 of the Education and Library board Order 1986 (N.I)
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
Pupils come from the surrounding areas, transported by both SEELB transport & BELB transport. Bus/taxi escorts supervise pupils during their journey to and from school. Home school transport is co-ordinated centrally by the SEELB and BELB Transport Officers
Transport contact numbers: SEELB 028 90 566200 Mr Michael Crossan
BELB 028 90 564000 Mr. Brian Chambers
Drivers and escorts play an important role in ensuring the specific daily transport needs are met effectively. Parents are therefore encouraged to liaise with them on a daily basis to inform them of changes in medical conditions etc. to ensure appropriate action can be taken as required.
Mr. Reading can help you with any queries you may have regarding changes in home-school transport.
The Transport Officers may wish to carry out a full risk assessment of a pupil’s transportation needs (e.g. Type of child seat, harness etc) to ensure that the pupil is given the appropriate equipment to travel safely from school to home and vice versa.
The School is divided into 4 departments – Primary, Multi Sensory, Secondary, and Sixth Form. There are 6 classes in the Primary, 3 in the Multi Sensory, 3 in the Secondary, and 4 in the Sixth Form. All classes are organised into year groups according to chronological age where possible. The school offers Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Physiotherapy programmes for pupils, these services being provided by The South and East Trust. The team of therapists work closely with the Principal, Class Teacher, Parents and other interested parties to identify, plan, design and implement programmes to meet the needs of the pupil as specified on the Statement of Educational Needs. The school also provides a successful Pre-School Outreach Support Service led by Mr. B. Reading.
PASTORAL CARE
The Children Order 1995 states that “All schools… should take reasonable steps to ensure their welfare is safeguarded and their safety is preserved.”
In Tor Bank we see parents as partners in the Education and Welfare of their children. We encourage and promote a two way process of information and parents are welcome in our school at all times.
The pastoral dimension in Tor Bank permeates all areas of the curriculum through the school ethos, interpersonal relationships and physical environment. This applies to all activities within the school, all extra curricular activities and all work placements, which are part of our careers programme.
In inter school
activities we liaise very closely with the staff of partner schools, Bloomfield
Collegiate and
CHILD PROTECTION
Central to the ethos of the Pastoral Care Policy in Tor Bank is that the welfare and safety of the young person attending the school is of paramount importance. Tor Bank operates clear procedural guidelines for staff dealing with suspected cases of abuse. The school curriculum also offers young people a range of possible strategies, which may be used to recognise, prevent and avoid abuse.
In school the Designated Teacher for Child Protection is Mrs P Hope, Vice Principal and the Deputy Designated Teacher is Mrs L. Reading. All staff are aware of whom the Designated and Deputy Designated Teacher are. All new staff – voluntary or otherwise must be vetted for suitability for working with young people through a criminal background check.
In the event of a Child Protection incident the Designated Teacher (or Deputy Designated) teacher will immediately consult with Social Services and SEELB Child Protection Officer for further advice.
At all times all information will be treated confidentially and all child protection records will be kept in a secure cupboard.
In line with the Education (Pupils Records) Regulations (N.I. 1990) the disclosure of such information is at the discretion of the Principal.
(A copy of the full policy is available for viewing in school).
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
i)
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS
The involvement of parents in the work of the school
and the education of their child is crucial in the development of a
partnership. Tor Bank operates an open-door policy. During the year parents are
invited to attend the school to discuss their child’s programme with the class
teacher and therapists etc. Parents are also invited to participate in the
Annual Review of their child’s educational needs. Home school diaries and/or
weekly newssheets are used to provide continuity and progression between
home-school programmes. Various activities are organised throughout the year to
which parents are encouraged to attend e.g. Class or School events and
Christmas Service.
In all aspects of parental involvement we encourage collaborative
partnership in which parents, teachers, classroom assistants and all
professionals work together to plan design and implement individual programmes
for each pupil. This ensures continuity
between all parties involved in developing the pupil’s potential.
This two-way exchange of information assists the class teacher in planning, designing and implementing programmes based on the current understanding of the pupils needs. Pupils within the Sixth Form Department are also encouraged to use email to communicate classroom information to the home environment.
The two way exchange of information on pupil progress is an important means of ensuring that programmes are reflected upon, evaluated and redesigned effectively to meet present pupil needs. Because you child has a legal statement of educational need in the spring term of each year, parents are invited to meet with the partners responsible for delivering programmes to meet the objectives of the statement; to discuss progress to date and plan targets for the forth-coming year. Partners may include Teachers Classroom Assistant Social Workers Therapist and Job Skills Agencies.
iv)PARENT/STAFF ASSOCIATION
· Social Evening
· Bar-B-Que
· Quiz Night
· Barn Dance
· Beauty Therapy Evening
· Beetle Drive
· Christmas Fair
v) Friends
of Tor Bank
The Friends of Tor Bank School has charitable status, which enables it to fund raise for Tor Bank School Funds. It is anticipated that any funds raised will go towards equipment for the new school.
vi) Reporting
to Parents
In Tor Bank we believe in frequent reporting and feedback to our parents on their progress. The Class Teacher and Team meet with the parents both formally and informally during the autumn term – this is also an opportunity for the Class Team and Parents to get to know each other and discuss the individual pupils need. In the Spring an interim report is sent to parents prior to Annual Review and both this report and Individual Education Plans are discussed fully at the Annual Review Meeting. The final complete report is sent to parents in June each year. Parents can discuss their son/daughter’s progress at any time by making an appointment with the Class Teacher.
vii) RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENTS
Tor Bank has two occasions when the school recognises and acknowledges our pupils achievements.
At the end of Key Stage 2 in Year 7 the Primary Department has a special Assembly, parents of the children are invited to attend and be part of this special occasion. After the pupils are presented with their folders their parents stay for coffee to complete this special milestone in their child’s life.
The format of the Secondary department is different. Sixth form students celebrate leaving school at an evening event. Parents, friends and invited guests from S.E.E.L.B, training facilities and the local community join us and students are an integral part of the programme. Records of Achievement are presented to the students who leave in the Academic year by an invited guest and then all Sixth Form students are given trophies for personal achievement in a variety of curriculum areas. The evening concludes with entertainment from our school choir and supper, resulting in a memorable occasion to mark the end of their education.
iix) Individual Education Plans (IEP)
Pupils attending
Targets are reviewed informally by class teams on a daily basis and adjustments or revisions made in conjunction with parents and therapists as required. At the end of each six-week block, new objectives maybe set to meet current priorities and needs.
ix) CLASS TEAMS
To ensure that continuity of approaches
exist within the classroom environment, to meet the needs of each child, adult
support workers –Teachers, Classroom Assistants and General Assistants – work
in collaboration to plan and implement all individual education plans. Class Team members play an invaluable role in
ensuring that targets or objectives as set out in the Statement of Educational
Needs and the I.E.P. are met effectively.
Parents are invited to work in close partnership with this team to share
‘good practice’ in all aspect of development.
UNIFORM
Tor Bank has a school uniform which although not compulsory we encourage pupils to wear. Students and Parents alike are proud of their uniform and the corporate identity associated with wearing it. Details of items and suppliers are listed in the school uniform booklet available from school. Sixth Form pupils are not required to wear uniform.
The school day for pupils is:
8 – 19 year olds
3 – 8 year
olds
Some pupils may find it too stressful to cope with a full school day
at the age of 8 years old. If it has
been agreed that this is the case for an individual pupil, this pupil will
continue to go home at
Lunch times are used to reinforce personal hygiene and independence skills. Class self help programmes are extended beyond the classroom into the canteen to reinforce independence further. All pupils are supervised during lunch times and are given support by the supervisor, classroom assistants and teacher to become more independent during meal times. Pupils pay for school dinners except where there are exemptions. Dinners are made in a local school, collected daily and bought over to Tor Bank. Pupils may bring packed lunches if preferred. Milk is provided free to all pupils.
LUNCH TIMES
Details are available from the school.
Outings and visits are an integral part of the school curriculum. They are designed to raise awareness and enhance understanding of the local environment in which students are expected to live independently. Outings are organised for each class. These visits are based on the class project or term topic. Parents will be sent a list of proposed project outings with details of dates and venues for each term.
TOR BANK YOUTH CLUB
Tor Bank Youth Club seeks to provide opportunities for young people between the ages of fourteen and nineteen to participate in a structure range of leisure and social activities, in an attempt to raise their awareness of leisure options available to them in the community. The Youth Club meets weekly from 7.00pm – 9.00pm and activities are planed, prepared and led by Classroom Assistants. This runs under the auspices of the school management.
The Summer Activity Scheme runs for a 2 week period. Only those pupils attending Tor Bank are eligible to apply. The scheme aims to build upon experiences gained through the school year and to enhance the personal and social development of the pupils through participation in a range of planned activities, which pupils may not normally experience during the school year. These are enjoyable, stimulating and appropriate to the age and ability of the children. A charge is made for attending this scheme, which is run under the auspices of the SEELB and may involve some staff.
This
policy is implemented in accordance with the South Eastern Education and Library
Board Regulations.
Current enrolment: 124 pupils