Educate Together schools are different to many other primary schools. Here are just some of the ways we stand out…..
At Educate Together schools, we do not have a school uniform. The children are free to wear whatever they wish. All we ask is that the children do not come to school in their best clothes or fancy dress, as they may get ruined. We have a wide range of activities on offer at Redfield, some of which may be messy! Being able to wear their own clothes means that children are able to express their individuality. Despite what some people may think, what you are wearing doesn’t make you a better learner! The children are taught about respecting and celebrating each other’s individuality and so we have never had any incidents of bullying linked to clothing. Equally, wearing a uniform doesn’t mean that you behave better or show more respect. We have also found that this has a positive impact on the relationships between staff and pupils because staff are not having discussions with the children about breaches of a uniform code.
All the adults at an Educate Together school are called by their first names by the pupils, staff, parents and visitors. This again is linked to recognising a person’s individuality and eliminates any perceived hierarchy around the use of titles. We have found that it removes some barriers for adults by being able to talk to staff as equals. It also supports our youngest pupils with transition, as adults are referred to by their first names at many Early Years settings.
As part of our recruitment process, candidates are asked to demonstrate how they ‘live the Educate Together ethos’. As a result, we only hire staff who are passionate about what we are trying to achieve at Educate Together. We constantly question whether what we are doing is in the best interests of the children. We regularly receive positive feedback about the ‘family feel’ of the school and how well the staff know the children. The children get to know all of the staff well, not just their class teacher through ad-hoc interactions around school, as well as whole school events.
At all Educate Together schools, we teach our unique ‘Learn Together’ curriculum alongside the National Curriculum. We believe this curriculum enables children to become global citizens in today’s diverse society. We believe that all social, cultural and religious backgrounds should be respected and we ask families to support us in this view. When children attend an Educate Together school, it is expected that they will participate in all aspects of school life, including learning about and celebrating everyone’s beliefs.
All schools including Redfield Educate Together have to participate in statutory assessments, which currently take place in Years R, 1, 2, 4 and 6. Through excellent teaching and learning, as well as building resilience and confidence, we aim to prepare children to reach the expected standards in all areas and they therefore shouldn’t be anxious or stressed about the tests or feel under pressure. We prepare children in how to approach these assessments and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge in order to achieve their potential.
Educate Together Academy Trust (ETAT) is an equality-based Trust where we live by the mottos ‘no child an outsider’ and ‘learn together to live together’. Our schools celebrate diversity, individuality and respects each child’s identity and that of their family equally. We are an Academy Trust of Rights Respecting Schools, and this education is embedded in all interactions and explicitly taught. This supports and underpins our unique ethical Learn Together curriculum that is taught throughout the school.
At ETAT we have always fought racism and promoted equality, equity, and inclusivity through education, both within our schools and the communities they serve. We are very proud of our richly diverse school community and as a Trust, we do not tolerate any form of racism or discrimination.
ETAT is appalled by the racist abuse that England’s National Football Team, has received in recent days and weeks especially. We are aware that as a result black people across the country have received abuse too. Racism has no place in society in any context and at ETAT we reaffirm that we are dedicated to identifying and confronting racism head on.
The Trust will be working to develop a new Anti-Racism Strategy and with this, our schools will continue to use education to enact societal change. This Strategy will then be implemented across the Trust in collaboration and with staff, children, and the wider school community.
The Trust continues to educate itself to ensure that future generations understand, appreciate, and celebrate our diversity, differences, achievements, and histories.
Redfield Educate Together strives to promote equality and celebrate diversity in all its forms. We feel it is important to make links available that address and reflect the ongoing events across the world in response to George Floyd’s death and support you in discussions you may be having with your children.
Below are resources that are aimed at supporting parents to hold conversations with your children and answer some of the difficult questions. It is important to stress that the resources shared below are not intended to be a home learning activity for your child to do alone. In school, we will discuss the events in a supportive way, led by the children’s questions. We are sharing these links because we are not currently able to have these discussions in the classroom. If you have any questions, please e-mail your child’s class teacher via the year group page.
Resources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52978346 Recommended for KS2 Children
https://educateagainsthate.com/parents/
https://yoopies.co.uk/c/press-releases/blacklivesmatter – A parents guide to Black Lives Matter
How the UNICEF Convention on the Rights of the Child protects children from discrimination
· Article 2 (Non-discrimination): Every child has rights, whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities or any other status.
· Article 4 (Protection of rights): Governments have a responsibility to take all available measures to make sure children’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. When countries ratify the Convention, they agree to review their laws relating to children. This involves assessing their social services, legal, health and educational systems, as well as levels of funding for these services. Governments are then obliged to take all necessary steps to ensure that the minimum standards set by the Convention in these areas are being met. They must help families protect children’s rights and create an environment where they can grow and reach their potential.
· Article 8 (Preservation of identity): Children have the right to an identity – an official record of who they are. Governments should respect children’s right to a name, a nationality and family ties.
· Article 14 (Freedom of thought, conscience and religion): Children have the right to think and believe what they want and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights.
· Article 19 (Protection from all forms of violence): Children have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, physically or mentally. Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect
· Article 22 (Refugee children): Children have the right to special protection and help if they are refugees (if they have been forced to leave their home and live in another country), as well as all the rights in this Convention.
· Article 23 (Children with disabilities): Children who have any kind of disability have the right to special care and support, as well as all the rights in the Convention, so that they can live full and independent lives.
· Article 29 (Goals of education): Children’s education should develop each child’s personality, talents and abilities to the fullest. It should encourage children to respect others, human rights and their own and other cultures.
· Article 30 (Children of minorities/indigenous groups): Minority or indigenous children have the right to learn about and practice their own culture, language and religion.
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WHY ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Article 28: Every child has the right to an education.
As a school we aim for all children to achieve 100% attendance, unless illness or an unavoidable cause prevents them from attending school. Children who attend this amount of time are likely to reach their full potential in education and go on to college and university. Therefore it is really important that your child attends school every day.
If your child has 1 day off a fortnight this adds up to one and a half years during their school life, it is proven that this often limits what they can achieve when they are 16. Please only keep your child at home if they are really unwell. If you are not sure bring your child/ren to school and let the class teacher know.
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We provide wrap-around care provision for the pupils of Redfield Educate Together. Our clubs provide weekday term-time only before and after school care which is situated in the school building.
The clubs, which are run by school staff, provide a choice of stimulating activities which the children can help to plan. There are a range of fun indoor and outdoor play resources for the children to enjoy, and they are also plenty of opportunities to relax.
Our Breakfast club hours are 8.00am until the start of the school day.
Our Afterschool club hours are from the end of the school day until 5.15pm. Parents/carers are welcome to collect their child at any time before 5.15pm.
Our Breakfast club session is £3.00, which includes breakfast.
Our After-school club session is £7.50, which includes a drink and sandwiches.
Please note that late collections may be charged. Repeated late collection may result in the offer of a space being withdrawn.
< lessIn June 2020 the government announced £1 billion of funding to support children and young people to catch up on missed learning caused by coronavirus (COVID19). This funding included a one-off universal £650 million catch-up premium for the 2020 to 2021 academic year to ensure that schools have the support they need to help all pupils make up for missed learning. More information about this funding can be found on the DfE website.
School allocations are calculated on a per pupil basis with the school receiving £80 for each pupil.
Redfield Covid Catch-up Spending Report 2020-2021
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At Redfield we aim to offer a wide range of after school and lunchtime clubs to enhance and support subjects across the curriculum including sports, art, drama, music, science, English and maths.
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As an Educate Together school:
* We value all children and the unique contribution that they offer to the school.
* We believe that all children learn best when they feel safe and are happy in school.
* We believe that respect underpins all of our relationships within school and with the outside world.
* We ensure that all pupils achieve their fullest potential and are fully prepared for the next stage of learning and life
| Equity-based | Through being equitable in our work, all children and staff will have equal access to their rights and, regardless of background, all will be equally respected. |
| Aspirational | All of our children have the right to a holistic world class education. All our work aims to ensure that every child can make progress and achieve well in every aspect of their education. |
| Child-centred | Children are at the heart of every decision and activity. Their voices are actively sought and listened to. They play a lead role in shaping their education. |
| Collaborative | Our schools aim to be central to the communities they serve. As such, we look for opportunities to give voice to and work in partnership with all stakeholders of the schools. |
“No child an outsider”
1) Children of all social, cultural and religious backgrounds have a right to an education that respects their individual identity whilst exploring the different values and traditions of the world in which they live.
2) Parents are entitled to participate actively in decisions that affect the education of their children.
Article 24: Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must work to provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food and a clean environment so that children can stay healthy.
School Meals
Our superb kitchen staff make all of our delicious lunches in our school kitchen following the government guidance on healthy schools meals.
Click here to see the menu in full
Our chef, Csaba, and his team vary the menu regularly to take advantage of seasonal foods and fruits. All diets are catered for including halal, gluten free, vegetarian and the team will meet with any parents whose child has a specific diet to discuss the options.
Click here to see special dietary requirement menus for 2023 Term 2.
Educate Together Academy Trust actively promotes the importance of a healthy, balanced diet for all of our children. Lunchtime is a core part of our school day, promoting our school ethos and encouraging interaction and independence, whereby adults and children sit down to eat together. We encourage all children to try a range of different foods and staff will support children with this.
Children are able to choose from either a school meal or a packed lunch provided by home. School meals are free for all children in Reception, Year One and Year Two, as well as for those children in receipt of Free School Meals.
Those families who choose to send children to school with a packed lunch must ensure that they provide a healthy, NUT FREE packed lunch that follows our ETAT Packed Lunch Charter
Halal Meat Certificates
Charles saunders halal certificate
Penny Lane Foods halal certification
All our meat is a choice of either non-halal or halal. Unless parents have told us they wish their child to have halal meat, all children are given non-halal meals. Both meats are cooked separately and kept separate for serving. All children and adults have a choice.
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Trust Board
As an Academy, Redfield Educate Together is governed by the Educate Together Academy Trust Board, comprised of highly skilled professionals volunteering to ensure our schools are well run.
Information about the Educate Together Academy Trust governance structure can be found on our website here, along with our Articles of Association, Scheme of Delegation and audited accounts.
For more information about the Trust Board please contact us on 0117 3790119.
Local Governing Board
Redfield Educate Together has a Local Governing Board (LGB) comprised of staff, parents, local residents, and co-opted governors, generously giving up their time and expertise to help develop and shape the school for the community it works within. The LGB also acts as a line of communication between the school and the Trust Board.
Membership:
Co-opted Governors:
Emma Cook (Chair)
+ 3 vacancies
Community Governors:
Mandy Blake
+ 1 vacancy
Parent Governors:
Rebecca Pritchard
+ 1 vacancy
Staff Governors:
Hannah Shiner
+ 1 Vacancy
Clerk: Janet Bremner
The Chair can be contacted via the clerk: clerk@redfieldet.org.uk or by post via the school office address.
Governor Biographies
Emma Cook – Chair of Governors, Co-opted governor, Health & Safety Governor
Emma is currently working as part of the Impact Evidence team for the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, identifying how public money is bringing value from bioscience research. She has lived in Bristol for 23 years, first living in the city while studying at the University, then later returning to complete an MSc in Science Communication and working for many years at the local science centre. Her work has included managing a machine workshop, developing playful interactions, writing copy and participative evaluation. Previously she has been a trustee for an early years setting in East Bristol. She currently has one child at the school, and another who left in 2021 as the first Year6 cohort to complete their journey through RET.
Hannah Shiner – Staff Governor, Pupil Premium Governor
Hannah is a Staff Governor, as well as named governor for Pupil Premium. She is also a teacher in Year 1 (Orangutan Class) and have worked at Redfield ET for almost 5 years. She has strong links to the community – having lived in Easton for 14 years – and want to celebrate the wonderful, vibrant and diverse community of BS5. Her particular area of interest is creating an equality of opportunity to all of our children, so that they all achieve the same successful outcomes. She has been a governor in two previous schools brings all this experience to the role at Redfield. She also has three primary aged children myself and has worked in primary education for many years, so is able to approach the role holistically as a teacher, parent and governor.
Mandy Blake
Mandy was motivated to become a Redfield community governor as she is passionate about high standards in education, safeguarding, welfare and SEND. Not only did she have children who attended Redfield, but also has many friends with children still at the school. As a result, she very much wants to see Redfield thrive as a safe and challenging learning environment for everyone.
She has been on the Management Committee at St George Preschool since 2017 and chaired the Advisory Board at the Barton Hill Children’s Centre from 2016-18.
Mandy first came to Bristol University where she studied for a master’s in engineering. After several years in the industry, she became a Residential Child Care Worker for Bristol City Council, caring for disabled children and young people with learning difficulties in a respite care setting.
< lessA copy of our first Ofsted Report in June 2017 is available on the Ofsted website here. The overall outcome was Good with Outstanding for the Foundation Stage (Reception) provision. The next Ofsted Inspection took place in March 2023, this report is also available via the above link or you can print a copy from here.
As the academic year 2020/21 was our first year with a Year 6, we currently do not appear on any performance tables.
At Educate Together, we feel very strongly that children should be able to enjoy their learning without the shadow of statutory assessments hanging over them. We strive for excellence and high standards in every area of learning and do not restrict ourselves to narrow test criteria as the measure of our success. Statutory assessments for younger children e.g. GLD, phonics and some of the KS1 assessments mainly happen without the children even realising. Children in KS2 are aware of their assessments such as the Y4 Times Tables check and the Y6 SATs and we explain their purpose honestly and proportionately. We aim for high standards at the end of every year, so children are prepared and learn fully and broadly throughout their time here. We work hard to ensure statutory assessments do not compromise their overall school experience.
2022-23 results – performance data pending
Children in Reception should achieve a Good Level of Development (GLD) against the Early Years framework. GLD is defined as children working at expected, or exceeding, the Early Learning Goal (ELG) in the following key areas: Literacy, Maths, Physical Development, Communication & Language and Personal, Social & Emotional Development.
Children in Year One undertake a Phonics Screening Check to determine their ability to use phonics to decode words. Each child is presented with the same 40 words to decode. The pass mark is subject to change each year.
Children in Year Two are assessed in Reading, Writing, Maths and Science using a combination of test papers and teacher assessment.
Percentage working At or Above Expected Standard (Working at Greater Depth)
Reading Redfield: 74% (GD – 18%). National: 75% (GD – 25%)
Writing Redfield: 72% (GD – 72%). National: 14% (GD – 15%)
Maths Redfield: 78% (GD – 16%). National: 76% (GD – 22%)
Science Redfield: 86% (GD – N/A). National: 82% (GD – N/A)
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Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.
Sports premium must be used to fund additional and sustainable improvements to the provision of PE and sport, for the benefit of primary-aged pupils, to encourage the development of healthy, active lifestyles.
There are 5 key indicators that schools should expect to see improvement across:
Please click here for our Sports Premium 2022/23 Report
And here for our 21-22 Sports Premium Report
< lessFor information on our SEN Provision and our Information Report see our Special Educational Needs page.
Should you require any policies that are not listed below, please contact the school office.
AIM (Gifted and Talented) Policy
Anti-bullying Policy (Child friendly)
ETAT Overarching Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
RET Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Health and Safety Policy_part_1
Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions Policy
Privacy Notice Pupils & Parents
Safer Working Practices for Volunteers
ETAT SEND, Disability and Inclusion Policy
< lessPupil Premium funding goes directly to the school and pays for things like school trips, specific interventions or additional teachers or assistants to provide extra support. The Pupil Premium is extra funding for every child who is eligible for free school meals throughout their time at school. This money makes a huge difference to schools and the eligible pupils.
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
You should apply for Pupil Premium funding if you receive income support, tax credits or the other benefits listed below so that your child’s school can receive extra funding to support your child. Currently, all children up to Year 2 automatically get free school meals.
If you think your child might be entitled to Pupil Premium funding, please download and complete this form and return it to the school office.
Early Years Pupil Premium and Infant Pupil Premium Checker Form
Children in Year 3 and older
You can apply for free school meals and Pupil Premium from Year 3 onwards if you get any of these benefits:
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit
Applying online is easiest – complete the application process here.
RET PP strategy document 22-23
Reporting
RET PP strategy document 22-23
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Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) is Steven Baxter. Steven can be contacted via email at senco@redfieldet.org.uk or by phoning our main reception: 0117 3790777.
For an overview of our vision, ethos and values in relation to Inclusion, please see our ETAT SEND and Inclusion Policy.
For a detailed report on how we implement our SEND and Inclusion policy on a day to day basis, please see our SEND information report, click here. If you have a specific question, please use the contents page at the start of the report to ensure quick access to the information you need.
Our Accessibility Policy and Equality Policy can be found here.
Parents’ WhatsApp group
If you would like to be added to our Parents’ WhatsApp group, please contact Steven Baxter for more details.
Useful links
When my teacher is away social story for RET champion teachers
COMMUNITY CHILDREN’S HEALTH PARTNERSHIP
‘Listen up!’ – a practical guide for parents of children aged 0-5 (Speech and Language resources)
‘Listen up!’ – a practical guide for parents of children aged 5-11 (Speech and Language resources)
(1) SEND and You SENDIAS Service – Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset – YouTube
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