Policies

SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION

In Florencecourt Primary School & Little Bridges Community Nursery we have a responsibility for the safeguarding and child protection of the children in our care and we will carry out this duty by providing a caring, supportive and safe environment, where each child is valued for his or her unique talents and abilities, and in which all our young people can learn and develop to their full potential. If you believe a child is being abused or harmed, the school's Child Protection Policy will explain what you can do (see Page 29) - you can inform Mr Coffey (Designated Teacher for Child Protection) or if he is not available, either Mrs Boyd or Mrs Kingston (Deputy Designated Teachers). If your concern relates to the Principal, you can contact the Chairperson of the Board of Governors (Mrs Hilary Glasgow- Phair) via the school office. Our Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding and Child protection is Mrs Ruth Thompson (see below)

All staff, teaching and non-teaching are alert to the signs of possible abuse and are trained to know the procedures to be followed. The policy below sets out guidance on the action which is required where abuse or harm to a child is suspected and outlines referral procedures within our school.

Child Protection Policy November 2018.pdf

Child Protection - Who to contact.pdf

COMPLAINTS
As a school we value the opportunity to work in partnership with parents in providing a safe, secure and happy educational environment for our pupils. If parents have a concern or complaint, we want to know as soon as possible. Prompt and mutually trusting actions by parents and staff working together are the most effective way to make sure that children's needs are met and that any issues which arise can be dealt with before they escalate. The policy below sets out the school procedures in the event that parents wish to make a complaint.

FPS & LB COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE.pdf

DATA PROTECTION
While children are placed in our care for their Pre-school and Primary school years, a range of information is collected and used to support our pupils' education. The documents for Parents/Guardians and Staff attached below provide an outline of how we use this information and what to do if you have any related queries.

FPS & LBN Data Protection Policy v1.pdf and Privacy Notice - Pupils Parents Families Carers Legal Guardians.pdf

Privacy Notice - Non-teaching staff FPS & LBCN.pdf and Privacy Notice - Teachers at FPS & LBCN.pdf

NO SMOKING POLICY
The school has a no-smoking policy. Visitors are asked not to smoke in the school building.
Through the school’s drug education programme there will be opportunities for the children to acquire knowledge, information, understanding and skills to enable them to consider the effects of drugs on themselves and others and make informed and responsible decisions within the context of a healthy lifestyle.

MOBILE PHONE SCHOOL POLICY
RATIONALE: The inappropriate use of mobile phones can disrupt lessons, interfere with teaching and learning or be used as a form of bullying. The potential for misuse of phones with recording devices and cameras is a major cause for concern.

The following policy has been introduced to help ensure the smooth running of the school.
• Pupils are strongly advised not to bring mobile phones into school.
• The school will not take any responsibility for mobile phones lost or stolen.
• If a pupil is found using a phone it will be confiscated.
• For the first offence, the phone will be returned at the end of the day.
• For subsequent offences, a parent/guardian will be required to collect the phone from the school.
• Failure to hand over a phone will be treated as a disciplinary issue.

The use of mobile phones on school trips is forbidden unless the teacher gives permission for their use for reasons of safety and/or communication. Pupils should assume that mobile phones should not be used unless told otherwise.
If contact with home is needed during school hours a pupil can use the school phone (with permission) and parents can telephone the school office if they need to contact their son or daughter. However, this should be kept to a minimum so as to cause as little interruption as possible.

SHARED EDUCATION PROGRAMME
The school has developed a very successful SESP programme in conjunction with St Mary’s Primary Killesher, St Nialle’s Kinawley and Mullymesker School in Arney. We run one programme, corresponding to the composite classes in each school. Much of the work done via the programme necessitates visits to various places of interest (mostly in County Fermanagh) or shared venues which can accommodate larger numbers of pupils. The programme is developed annually by the teachers from the schools with the help of staff from EANI. Meticulous planning goes into the programmes to ensure valuable shared educational experiences take place during the year. Children from our four schools come together in a spirit of building good relationships through shared learning.

EDUCATIONAL VISITS
The school has an insurance policy to cover all children and adults in school, on any Educational visits and Sporting Events. Parents should return the consent form at the beginning of the school year. The Sports Fund is used for the insurance policy premium.

POCKET MONEY
The school does not operate a tuck shop and therefore children are requested not to bring spending money to school. Children should not bring money to spend on educational visits unless permission is given by the class teacher. Parents will be notified of the amount.

CHARITIES
The school supports three or four charities each year. Numerous charities make application to the school each year. The school endeavours to rotate fundraising efforts for charities. Subscriptions made to these are voluntary. The monthly newsletter gives notice of monies raised.

VISITING ARRANGEMENTS
Parents are welcome in school because we believe we are partners with parents in the child’s education. All parents of prospective P1 pupils will be invited to meet with their child’s teacher in the school in June. Please use this occasion to bring any medical condition affecting your child to the attention of the class teacher. Please complete the admission form.
Once your child commences school there are many opportunities for staff and parents to meet. Some of these occasions will be on a formal basis and you will be notified in due course of the dates.

• Key Stage 2 (P7 Leavers) Transfer Meeting
• Annual Parent Teacher Meeting
• Parents Information Evening. (As necessary).


Other meetings can be arranged by mutual request. Please contact our school secretary to arrange an appointment if you wish to speak to your child’s teacher or the principal. In addition parents are invited to meet teachers for a full discussion of their child’s progress during the school year. Parents are encouraged to contact the school and make an appointment should they require information or have any concerns about their child. In addition parents are given useful information via a monthly newsletter (issued to each family at the beginning of each month).

INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS
Please contact the school to arrange an appointment to view documents.

CHANGES IN SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS
Changes occur from time to time in the staffing and organisation of the school and parents will be informed of these by newsletter.

CHARGING AND REMISSIONS POLICY
In line with the requirements of the Northern Ireland Education Reform Order 1989, it is the policy of the Board of Governors to:
• Maintain the right to free school education for all pupils
• Establish that activities organized wholly or mainly during school time should be available
• Require parents to pay charges for board and lodging for their children, on residential trips, taking account of any relevant remission arrangement
• Confirm its right to invite voluntary contributions for the benefit of the school or in support of activities organised by the school
• Make charges in respect of optional extras, as determined by the Board of Governors. A copy of the full charging and remissions policy is available at the school for inspection by parents.