What is constant though is the Manor Junior School atmosphere where children come prepared to learn, staff are well resourced and indeed resourceful in trying to get the best from the children and parents support their children with time, commitment and resources to improve. Manor children are usually polite and considerate. Visitors to the school are always impressed with the school. The supply teachers that come want to come back!

Many notable successes along the way at individual level and collectively in school. Those children though that ‘cross the line’ of acceptable behaviour get support from the staff and their parents. There is a true collective response to deal with incidents appropriately. Doesn’t mean we always agree with each other of course but at the end of the day all parties accept that something is needed to help children move on from an incident and be able to make progress.

The School is in an interesting position in 2005-2006 as it is viewed as a successful school well supported yet several issues confront it. The Staff are working hard at adapting the curriculum to meet more individualised learning. A challenge for any staff in any school. We are well aware that key issues need to be addressed and we will continue to make sure that a Manor child will look back on their schooling in years to come and be proud to have been at the school.

SCHOOL PROFILE STATEMENT

The school was built during the mid 1930`s and opened on the 17^th February 1936 to serve families moving onto the new Leftley Estate. It is situated to the west of the Borough on the corner of Stratton Drive and Sandringham Road. The area is well served by public transport and is close to several local amenities. Mayesbrook Park and `Faircross` shopping centre are within walking distance. Manor Infants’ School and Barking Abbey Comprehensive School share the same site.

The school is based on an open quadrangle with 12 classrooms around the edges. A further 4 classrooms are on the second floor above the main entrance and office accommodation. An I.C.T. Suite consisting of 20 computers linked to the internet. There is an additional mini ICT suite with 8 computers within the Year 6 accommodation. Each classroom is networked and has excellent ICT equipment (ceiling mounted projector, visualiser, VCR, sound system) based around a central desk aiding delivery of the curriculum. The library is supported by a computer based system monitoring lending and return of books. A Special Needs Room provides space for quiet focused working when appropriate to take small groups or individual children away from the classroom for intensive support.

There are two halls, a hard play area and a grassed area, which is used also by the Infants’ School. The central quadrangle is used for environmental studies. Meals are cooked on site in a purpose built kitchen. One hall is equipped as a mini theatre with stage and lighting allowing for effective drama productions.

A specialist room was added to the building in 2001 to aid the teaching of Music, Science, Design and Technology and Art. Timetabled sessions for each class, each week, enable children to work in a purpose built environment.

TEST BED

The school has been part of the Test Bed project, a large investment by the Government into a few selected schools in the country to research the effectiveness of large scale investment in Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment in schools. Therefore there have been amazing opportunities to use the internet as a teaching tool under supervision when appropriate. All teaching areas are equipped with the latest technology with such things as a visualiser, ceiling mounted projector, vcr, dvd, computer and large screen for presentation. This was a four year project so children entering the school in September 2006 will still be enormous benefactors of the investment.

ADMISSION POLICY

In order to obtain a place in the school you need to apply using the appropriate form.

Application forms for a place at the school are obtained from the Local Education Authority (LEA). There is always the possibility that there are more applications for places than there are places in your preferred school. When this occurs, the LEA is required to publish and use a set of criteria for deciding places.

The criteria, in strict order of priority, are as follows:-

1. Children who are in care of the local Authority

2. Children who have a brother or sister attending the school or

the linked Infants’ school on the same site at the date of admission. (this does not include the Nursery school)

3. Children attending the Infants’ school linked with the Junior school

by the L.E.A.’s approved linking arrangements.

4. Children resident in the neighbourhood area for admission designated by the LEA as giving priority for admission to a particular school, as at the date of admission.

5. Children who live closest to the school at the date of admission measured by the shortest available walking route using recognised footpaths, by way and highways adopted, numbered and maintained by the Borough’s Highway Department.

In schools which are wholly maintained by the Local Education Authority ("Community Schools"), admissions are made through the Headteacher. The Headteacher can admit children subject to places being available.

If you wish to apply for a place at a school in a neighbouring borough you should contact the appropriate Education Authority.

During the final year at infants` school, children and parents will have the opportunity to visit the junior school.

(Do please remember that attendance at a primary school or junior school does not ensure a place at a particular secondary school).

The standard number of the school for any year group is 120.

The majority of our intake transfer from Manor Infants’ School. There is not an automatic place in the Junior School for children at the Infants’ school.

Children are invited to attend the Junior School during one morning in July and then stay to lunch before returning to their Infants’ School. Parents are invited to lunch as well on this day to join their children and then attend a formal meeting at 1:30 p.m.. They are able to meet and talk with the Headteacher and where possible meet the new classteacher for September.

AIMS OF THE SCHOOL

The Governing Body has formulated the overall objectives, which have been agreed with staff and form a shared vision of what the school is trying to achieve:

· All those involved at school should feel happy, secure, valued and comfortable. School should be an enjoyable, exciting and rewarding place to be.

· People are individuals and as such each should be allowed/able to achieve their full potential, improving on their own standards.

· Relationships should reflect and encourage, respect, trust and self-esteem. An air of success and dignity will encourage friendship.

· Supportive teams will engender high morale throughout the school.

· The importance of good role models will not be taken for granted within any group.

· There will not be complacency about high standards, but a continuing review and willingness to move on to greater achievements in all aspects of school life.

OfSTED INSPECTION

February 2004 saw a team of Ofsted inspectors visit the school. Their findings where very positive and reflected the hard work of the school community to raise standards since the last inspection in 1998.

The overall findings were;

Manor Junior School is a good school providing good value for money. Pupils attainment is above average in English and well above average in Science.

The report continues to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the school. All parents will have received a summary of the report. Any person wishing to read the report in full can obtain details from the school office or the Ofsted web site.

The school Action Plan drawn up in response to the report is comprehensive and on target.

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT

In order to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, the school has improved access for those with disabilities by providing a ramp access to the main entrance of the school. This entrance also now has wide doors to enable wheel chair users to enter. This of course also assists those with prams and buggies!

The provision of a new shower and toilet with the required wide doors and supports has also enabled us to meet the requirements of the act

COVER POLICY

Teachers have a contractual entitlement to at least 10% of time away from direct contact with their class. This will mean that your child will have regularly an alternative member of staff.