Glebe Hey Rd

Birkenhead

Merseyside

CH49 8HE

Telephone No. 0151 522 3900

Headteacher:                  Mr R Richardson

Assistant Headteacher   Mrs N Smith

Assistant Headteacher   Mrs G Bain

Chair. of Governors:        Mr J Roper            

Vice Chair of Govs:          Mr. M. Sutton ( Community )

Parent Governors:           Mrs H Hughes, Mrs D Rogerson, Mrs B Pisani

Community Gov                Mrs C Walmsley

Sponsor Gov                      Mr K Beggs; Mr T Jordan                            

Staff Governor:                Mrs L. Clarke

L A Gov.                            Mr. O. Roberts; Mr. P. Davies                            

SCHOOL STAFF

Teaching Staff:            Mrs P Miles                                      Mrs L Day

                                   Mr E Kewley                                     Mrs L Clarke

   Mrs N Smith                                     Miss J Cooper

   Mrs A Charker                                  Mrs V Leary

                                   Mrs G Bain

Teaching Assistants           Miss R Francis

                                          Mrs M Warrington                              Miss L Tomkins

                                          Mrs A Nairn                                        Mr I. Jackson

                                          Mrs N Armitage                                  Mrs J Cardus

                                          Mrs P Jackson                                     Mrs J Jones

                                          Miss S Merrill                                     Mrs K Fewtrell

                                          Mrs J Jones                                       Mrs L McKay

                                          Mrs M Sprott                                     

School Secretary:  Miss. M. Ledsham

This prospectus provides certain information about the school which is required by law. Further information about the school is available from the Headteacher. The Information contained in this document relates to the school year 2008-2009 and although correct at the time of publication, it should not be assumed that there will not be any changes during the school year. 

General information about all schools in the Wirral area is available from the Children and Young Peoples Department, Hamilton Buildings, Conway Street, Birkenhead and at all district offices.

THE SCHOOL SITE

The school is situated on a pleasant site which overlooks the River Mersey. It is only a short walk along the new promenade to Woodside with its traditional ferry boats. Hamilton Square, with its pleasant gardens and buildings of great historical interest, is within a few minutes walk. The Priory Church dating from 1150 is also close at hand. The school is well placed for all forms of transport having the station in Hamilton Square, a bus station at Woodside and frequent ferries to and from Liverpool.

The large market and shopping centre in Birkenhead are within easy walking distance of the school and this, together with the transport facilities, the river and surrounding buildings provide a rich resource for the teaching of History, Geography, Science, Technology and Art as well as the main curriculum areas.

The school is a U-shaped, single storey building originally built as a mainstream primary school. In 1981 Gilbrook School moved into the building. There have been many alterations to the building since then. The most significant has been the construction of a corridor to give access to all classrooms thus changing the school from the original open - plan design which was considered to be unsuitable for a school catering for children with social emotional and behavioural difficulties.

There is a new Sports Hall with excellent facilties for the teaching of P.E., lunchtime and extra-curricular activities.

The school has a small tarmac play area which is bordered by grass and hedge and a smaller play area with access from two teaching areas.

There are six teaching areas, a multi - purpose hall which is our ICT base with 10 computers and an interactive whiteboard with projector. The hall is also used for assembly, Science and at lunchtime as a dining room. There is a small kitchen where some children have cookery lessons during Friday golden time.

 SCHOOL ORGANISATION

Gilbrook is a day special school for children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties which is maintained by Wirral Children and Young Peoples Department.

Children aged 5-11 are admitted throughout the school year, at the direction of the Director of Education, having been assisted in the decision making process by the Headteacher and staff of the child’s previous school, a school doctor and an educational psychologist. Parents are also consulted when decisions are made and there are procedures laid down by which the parent can appeal against the decision should they wish to do so. Once it has been agreed that the child would benefit from a place in Gilbrook School, the parents are invited to visit the school to talk to the Headteacher and meet the staff and pupils.

CLASS ORGANISATION

The school caters for a maximum of 50 children between the ages of 5-11. They are divided into 6 groups, classes 3-6 being ability grouped. Class 1 has the younger children and Class 2 is a differentiated class for pupils who need a more specialised approach to their teaching and learning. However, depending on the ages of the children who are admitted to the school in September, there may have to be 2-3 classes of children of the same year group. This will alter annually according to circumstances.

Each class has a full time teacher and teaching assistant and in some cases additional support

THE CURRICULUM

The children all study core and foundation subjects of the National curriculum.

Design Technology  History  Geography  P.E   R.E   Art                      

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship includes Sex and Relationship Education and Drugs Education.  This Policy is available from school on request.  Parents have the right to withdraw their child from S.R.E. however, school would wish to discuss any concerns or queries parents may have before withdrawing their child.

Class 1 and 2 are class based for all lessons. Classes 3-6 are class based for English, Maths, RE, PSHE & Citizenship. All other subjects are taught by specialist teachers which involves the children moving to other class rooms for these subjects.

Mrs Charker leads Art.

Mrs Bain leads Humanities and R.E.

Mrs Miles leads Numeracy and PSHE

Mrs Clarke leads ICT and INSET coordination

Mr Kewley leads P.E. and Science

Swimming lessons are provided on a regular basis.

All children who are under-achieving in relation to National curriculum expectations have an Individual Education Programme (IEP) and are continuously assessed and parents/carers sent information on their achievements in an annual report and are invited to the Annual Review.

THE SCHOOL DAY

8.50                      Children begin to arrive having been collected and escorted

                             from their home by the school transport.

9.00                      School day begins.

10.45-11.00            Playtime.

12.00-12.20           Lunch.

12.20-12.45                                Lunchtime activities.

12-45                    Afternoon session begins

3.00                      Children’s school day ends. They are escorted to the school

                             transport and taken home.

School hours per week     =        30 hours

Teaching time per week  =        24 hours.

COLLECTIVE WORSHIP

School assemblies are held regularly in the Hall and will usually contain a theme for the week, a Christian prayer and a hymn.

Tuesday assemblies are directly linked to the transport and strong relationships are being fostered between escorts and pupils and staff at the school.

Mrs Day teaches a wide variety of different songs and hymns of moral thought and celebration to be used at assemblies.

Each Friday there is a Celebration assembly where children are praised and rewarded for good work and behaviour during the week. Children in each class who have gained the most points are awarded badges and congratulated in front of the assembled children and staff. This helps to reinforce positive standards of work and behaviour. Children are encouraged to share their birthday celebrations by showing their cards/presents in assembly and any special achievements eg swimming certificates.