FAQ's
FAQ's and Jargon Buster
What are INSET days? INSET stands for In Service Training. All schools in England have five days every year when they are closed to pupils to allow for staff training. They are an important part of staff training and development, ensuring that staff stay up to date with latest developments and so education in our school remains ‘cutting edge’.
What is EYFS? EYFS = Early Years Foundation Stage and is Nursery and Reception.
What are Key Stage 1 and 2 (KS1 and KS2)?
Key Stage 1 is Years 1 and 2.
Key Stage 2 Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.
What is the national curriculum? The national curriculum outlines what all children should be taught in each Key Stage. You can find out what your child's curriculum is by looking on our school website.
What are national curriculum levels? They are national levels of attainment descriptions that are used to assess children, particularly at the end of each Key Stage. By the end of Key Stage 1, most children should be attaining at Level 2. By the end of Key Stage 2, most children should be attaining at Level 4.
What are SATs? They are Statutory Assessment Tasks. These are national tasks / tests which are used to assess all children at the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2) and the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 6). The SAT results give a ‘snapshot’ of children’s attainment; in other words how they achieved in particular tasks or tests taken on as specific day / week.
What is Teacher Assessment? This is the teachers’ judgement about what national curriculum level a child is attaining. This judgement will be made based on evidence gathered over a period of time and from a range of pieces of work, together with test results. It is usually a more reliable judgement of a child’s attainment than a test result alone.
What is PPA time? This is Planning, Preparation and Assessment time; all teachers are entitled to PPA time.
When do we get a school report for our children? School reports are issued to all the children in the week before the last week of the school year (July).
How frequently are parents’ evenings? Parents’ evenings are held twice a year. The first are in the autumn, usually the end of October, and the second in the spring. If you would like to speak to your child’s teacher, they are always happy to talk briefly at the end of the school day. If you’d like to talk for a bit longer, then ask your child’s teacher if you can arrange a time that is convenient for you both. You can do this at any time of the year.
How do I contact the Headteacher? You can do one of a number of things. 1) Call in to the school office and make an appointment. 2) Email or 3) Write a letter. Our Headteacher, practices an open-door policy and is always happy to meet with you.
Do the children have swimming lessons? Swimming is part of the Key Stage 2 PE curriculum. At St Ambrose, swimming lessons happen in Year 4.
When do my children sit their SATS? SATS are taken towards the end of Year 2 (the times are variable, during April and May) and at the end of Year 6 (a specific SAT week is set nationally every year, usually the second or third week of May).
Is PE kit compulsory? Yes. This is for health and safety reasons. Our PE kit consists of a white T-shirt, black shorts and trainers or black gym-shoes. No jewellery or watches can be worn and long hair needs to be tied back for Health & Safety reasons.
Where is the lost property kept? Lost property is kept at the bottom of the stairs near the main entrance. It is a good idea to wait until after 3.15pm to look for lost property, when the children have finished for the day. Please write your child's name on all items of clothing.
Any other questions? Please feel free to contact us.
The following are abbreviations you are likely to see when reading facts about a school.
RAISEonline - document provided by Ofsted which provides data comparing KS1 & KS2 results with National results
DfE - Department for Education
EAL - English as an Additional Language
EYFS - Early Years Foundation Stage
FSM - Free School Meals
KS1 - Key Stage 1
KS2 - Key Stage 2
LA - Local Authority
NOR - Number on roll
SEN - Special Education Needs
TA - Teacher Assessment
PP - Pupil Premium