In partnership with our pupil's we aim to encourage the children to foster flexible approaches and positive attitudes to learning, high standards of work, self discipline, and a sense of belonging to the local, national and wider community of mankind We aim to raise attainment through our carefully planned programmes of work, proven teaching methods and stimulating working environment. Cauldeen School aims to prepare all our pupils educationally, technologically and socially to take full advantage of the significant opportunities offered in secondary education. We aim to ensure high educational standards and quality of teaching and learning by the review of our policies and practices based on best practice, the 5-14 National Guidelines and Highland Council policies. As a staff, we aim to improve teaching and learning through appropriate staff development.

Cauldeen School was opened in 1968 with an initial roll of 258. After a number of years with excessively high rolls the school's present roll, combined with the excellent facilities, gives a pleasant and spacious environment for both pupils and staff. The building is of a modern design with spacious classrooms, a stage, large double court gymnasium, library resource area and a state of the art computer teaching base, all set in pleasant grounds giving an excellent environment for study. The classes in Cauldeen School are organised in year groups Nursery to Primary 7.

There are experienced staff members allocated to each class, with an excellent 1/15 adult to pupil ration in the early stages and additional expertise is provided by visiting part-time staff to assist with specialised aspects of the curriculum such as physical education, music, and art.

Parents wishing to discuss their child's progress are very welcome, but to avoid interruption of the classwork, parents wishing to see members of staff or the Head Teacher are requested to make an appointment.

There are also parent consultation evenings when parents have time to discuss their child's progress with the class teacher.

Other events take place during the year at which parents are encouraged to attend and participate, i.e. parent workshops, concerts, sports day, prize giving and closing services.

Please come along and participate in a joint effort to ensure your child gains the maximum benefit from the education Cauldeen School provides.

Those taking school meals regularly should pay the total amount on the Friday morning for the following week; tickets can be collected from the school canteen at playtime. On receipt of monies, children will be issued with ticket(s) and they become the child's responsibility, although the teacher will store them for safekeeping. Emergencies may arise, and on these occasions a ticket can be purchased from the Cook during morning interval. Any parent/guardian paying by cheque must make the cheque payable to "The Highland Council", NOT the school.

There is a broad-based curriculum in line with the 5-14 National Guidelines in the early stages.. The infant curriculum is developed and regularly reviewed in line with current national and council guidelines. The approach to much of the work tackled by the infant classes is of a practical nature using the best practice based on Early Intervention strategies.

There is a separate play area within the playground for the younger children and play monitors are on duty. New markings encourage the playing of traditional games. When it is wet the children have access to the cloakrooms or stay in the classroom supervised.

The uniform is as indicated in this brochure but an apron or old shirt for painting will protect clothing and slip-on gym shoes with names help. These items are retained in the classroom in your child's personal tray.

Homework may be given nightly, but further up the school, weekly assignments will be given. This form of approach will encourage the older pupils to plan their home study and balance it with their outside evening activities, which are also very important to their personal and social development. Parents are encouraged to assist with their child's planning and to supervise homework to ensure an adequate standard of work form the child.

To maintain a common standard between school and home, parents are asked to sign homework if they approve of the effort, time and neatness shown in the completed homework. Pupils throughout the school are issued with home/school packs which among other items will contain a book for reading for pleasure, or in the case of infants a book which can be read to the child by the parent. Senior pupils will be issued with a homework jotter, which should be covered and used by parents to sign their child's homework and/or to make any comment on the assigned homework or the time taken to complete it.

Parents can check this jotter to ascertain if homework has been issued by the class teacher. Homework will be taught and the teacher will provide the books or materials necessary to complete the homework assignments issued. Where research or other materials are available at home, pupils should use them.

Detailed notes for parent are available from the school office and a copy is posted on the Parent Information board situated outside the school office. Parents are encouraged to consult with their child's class teacher in the first instance, should any difficulties arise or advice be required.

The general policy of Cauldeen School is to encourage pride in appearance, neat and tasteful dress habits, and the avoidance of expensive extremes of fashion. With this in mind, the following items are desirable and the school encourages the wearing of academic dress in preference to other clothing. A warm jacket or coat should be worn, preferably waterproof for bad weather.

Academic Dress

School Tie (obtainable from the school) Grey/Navy V-neck pullover/cardigan Grey/Navy Skirt/Trousers (not jeans) White or grey shirt/blouse/*Crested Polo Shirt (*order form obtainable from the school) Suitable outdoor and indoor footwear.

Physical Education

T-shirt, Shorts, Gym Shoes Long hair tied back. No hoop earrings. Articles of clothing in the colours of professional football clubs should be avoided. Denim clothing including jeans and fashion clothing are more expensive and less suitable than those listed above and should be avoided for school wear. Wellington boots should not be worn indoors during winter. Pupils in the upper primary classes are required to change from outdoor footwear in the classrooms. Articles of clothing which are easily lost, i.e. ties, jackets. Etc. should be clearly marked with the child's name.

Parents are invited to attend parent consultation meetings in January and a school report is issued in June. To assist parents to attend, an appointment system is used and usually a crèche and supervised play facilities are available for the children in the school.

Parents and teachers may wish to come together at other times for discussion should the need arise and this is encouraged. Appointments should be made through the office. The views of parents on the progress of their children and the education provided in Cauldeen School are always welcomed and encouraged.

Assessment of pupils' work is done by watching children work, talking with pupils, marking pupils' classwork and setting formal tests. National Tests are used alongside other forms of assessment to assist in maintaining national standards. Attainment is given and reported to parents in accordance with the five levels indicated in the 5-14 programme. These are :

Cauldeen School is an Equal Opportunities School. Access to all subjects will therefore be provided to pupils without reference to the gender or ethnic origin of the pupil.

The school will ensure that each pupil regardless of his/her gender or ethnic origin should have an equal opportunity to pursue his/her subject choices, where subject choices are offered, free from gender or any other discrimination.

The School:

Children who encounter difficulties in learning are assisted by the class teacher, and, if necessary after consultation, by the support for learning staff. Our combined learning support/special educational needs team, work closely with the child, class teacher and home. Reviews and consultation takes place on a regular basis and parents are consulted and kept informed throughout.

Special Provision

Special provisions for youngsters with significant physical difficulties are provided at Cauldeen.

The base consists of two rooms, one of which is a teaching area with specialist equipment, such as listening stations and computer workstations. The other room is a therapy area. It has soft play, wall bars and other individual physiotherapy equipment. Speech therapy and occupational therapy are also central themes e.g. functional movement supported by the guidance of specialist staff. Pupils are given the opportunity to improve their mobility and tactile experiences, as well as meeting their special education, play, therapeutic and care needs.

All the pupils are included within mainstream classrooms as appropriate. This has proved a most successful approach with great benefits for the mainstream pupils as well as the pupils being included. The facilities of the base are also a widely used resource available and of great benefit to the whole school.

Holiday dates can be found on Appendix 1

School Fund

Various fund-raising events are organised to raise money for the Cauldeen Primary School Fund. The Parents and Friends Group contribute by organising fund raising events in support of the school.

Children bring a voluntary donation each week,. The donations and profit go into the school fund, which is used for the overall benefit of the children.

The uses include subsidising transport costs for field trips, swimming lessons, purchasing extra equipment for sports, computing, leisure and extra curricular activities, etc. Much of the cost of Christmas activities such as ice creams for the parties, tea and cakes for grandparents and senior citizens, etc is borne by the school fund.