Partnerships
Working together with the community
At Dronfield Junior School we believe that Community Cohesion is about creating a school environment in which every member of the community has a common vision and a sense of belonging where their backgrounds and circumstances are appreciated and valued.
We define 'community cohesion'; as working towards a society in which:
- There is a sense of belonging by all communities
- The diversity of people's backgrounds and circumstances are appreciated and valued
- Similar life opportunities are available to all
- Strong and positive relationships exist, and continue to be developed in the workplace, school and wider community
- Social mobility is encouraged and facilitated
The school's contribution to community cohesion can be grouped under several headings, including the following:
Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Equality and Excellence
Engagement and Ethos
The school defines 'community' in a number of ways:
School community - the children we serve, their families and our staff members.
Professional community- agencies, local school cluster groups, learning hubs, Local Authority and all other groups that support the teaching and learning profession.
Our local community - our geographical community, and the people who live and/or work in our area.
The community of Britain - all schools, by definition, are part of it.
The global community - formed by the European Union (EU) and international links.
At Dronfield Junior School, we believe that strong, effective relationships with parent/carers and families is in the best interests of our children. We understand that our parents and carers know their child best; what engages and motivates them, their strengths, passions and interests. By combining parents’ knowledge of their child with staff’s expertise in teaching and learning, we can ensure the best outcomes for our children.
Our school values the relationship it holds with children and their families, as well as the wider community, and actively seeks to provide opportunities for these relationships to flourish. We seek to involve parents and carers in their children’s learning and education by sharing information about the curriculum that they are participating in. As part of the curriculum philosophy, parents and carers are invited to help celebrate their child’s learning through coffee afternoons, sharing a curriculum overview which sets out a term’s learning and celebration learning via Class Dojo, the school website and weekly newsletters.
We encourage parents and carers to tell us what support they feel they need and aim to provide information, whether through our newsletter, curriculum overviews or workshops. Furthermore, parent consultation evenings provide an opportunity for parents and carers to learn more about their child/ren’s social/emotional and learning progress throughout the academic year.
Partnerships
We value our partnerships and by working with and listening to our community, we will deliver an education to our children that will create life-long learners. We believe deeply in the importance of nurturing strong partnerships with our local communities and beyond.
Local Partnerships
School Lane Kids Club
School Lane Kids Club is our registered provider for wraparound care.
School Lane Kids Club is available for children who attend Dronfield Junior School and is based in the School Hall at the Infant School, the School House and portacabin at Dronfield Junior School. Ofsted visited the club in June 2019 and rated the provision as 'good'.
For further information or a registration pack please ring 01246 290880 or 07526 033806.
Opening Times and Prices
Breakfast Club opens at 7.30am until school start time - £5.25 per session
After School Club is from the end of school until 6pm - £5.00 until 4.30pm or £8.25 for the full session
Holiday Club is from 7.30am until 6pm - £35 for a full day session
Fit Kids Forest School Provider
At DJS, we have a dedicated Forest School area that we use during curriculum time for groups of pupils and as an after-school club. Forest School offers numerous benefits, including enhanced social skills, improved mental and physical health, increased confidence and independence, and a deeper connection with nature, all while fostering learning through play in a natural environment. Sessions are led by qualified Forest School instructors from Fit Kids and supported by school staff.
Sheffield Hallam University
We work in close partnership with the Sheffield Hallam University; particularly linked to their Initial Teacher Training programme whereby we will offer university placements for student teachers. Our staff provide student teachers with professional learning by offering a wide range of experiences and opportunities to reflect on pedagogical practice and spending time in the classrooms to see the lived experience in action.
We take part in the POP Maths competition each year which is a challenging competition against other local independent and mainstream schools and is organised by SHU.
This year for the first time, we have welcomed undergraduate music students into school to perform to our children in assembly. Feedback from this has been really positive and it is something that we wish to develop further.
SHAPE (Sport, Health Activity, and Physical Education) sports partnership
We work in partnership with SHAPE, a non-profit organisation based in Chesterfield which offers specialised PE and physical activity support and opportunities for schools. Our children take part in a range of competitive and inclusive sports events that are organised and led by SHAPE.
PODS (The Partnership of Dronfield Schools)
The Partnership of Dronfield Schools (PODS) consists of 15 schools from Dronfield and the surrounding areas, aiming to develop all members of the school communities into happy, thriving and successful citizens who contribute positively to society. Through this we aim to realise our vision, ‘Learning together, stronger together’ by embodying our values of aspiration, respect and responsibility. The schools work closely in a variety of ways to ensure educational best practice is evident in a mutually supportive and challenging environment that creates opportunities for all members of the school and wider community to realise our aims.
Dronfield Infant School
Whilst we are a separate Junior School, we work closely with Dronfield Infant School. There is physical access through a gate in each school’s playground, which connects both school sites. The staff from the Juniors and Infants work closely to ensure the very best transition for children moving from Infants to Juniors. Staff from both schools share training and subject leaders meet r to ensure the curriculum is carefully planned, linking learning.
Inclusive Ping Pong - inclusivepingpong.co.uk
We work in partnership with Inclusive Ping Pong to provide table tennis extra curricular clubs in school. The school has three of its own ping pong tables and has a long standing history of being recognised for its involvement in this sport.
Little Messy’s Football Club
After school football sessions are led by Little Messey’s Football Club. These sessions suitable for children who are experiencing their first ever football or sports club, also sessions suitable for experienced team level players looking for an extra challenge! Developing leadership skills, communication and confidence. Qualified football coaches start introducing positions, tactics and more rules as the players get older to increase knowledge of the game.
The Oaks Community Church
We have forged strong links with the Oaks Community Church. The Youth worker for the church, Mrs Sharp also works as a teaching assistant at DJS and the church’s schools’ worker, David Sharp visits DJS to deliver assemblies, work with children and support RE lessons. The Oaks Church also partners with an education charity called Transforming Lives for Good (TLG). Volunteers from the church are trained to coach children in need of support during their time at school, and develop their emotional literacy.
Pet Samaritans
Our well-established charity group regularly raises money for the local charity, Pet Samaritans. They help animals that are abandoned, injured, mistreated, orphaned or neglected and help to provide a safe place they can call home. The Pet Samaritans also have an education programme to engage schools in wildlife awareness and animal care.
PCSO
Our school works very closely with the Safer Neighbourhood Team. PCSO Flower is a regular visitor to school; he delivers assemblies and works with pupils to raise awareness on a range of topics from road and rail safety to online safety.
Dronfield Hall Barn
Dronfield Hall Barn is a heritage and community hub that maintains strong community links through partnerships, volunteer programs, educational projects, and public events. As a school, we are involved in Its community-focused initiatives and we have recently held a history exhibition at The Barn for the community to celebrate our 150th Anniversary with us this year.
Chesterfield FC Community Partnership
The Spireites Schools Partnership is a partnership between Chesterfield FC Community Trust and schools; at DJS, we work with the partnership as a way of boosting physical activity and attainment within school.
Derbyshire Music Partnership
Derbyshire Music Hub aims to increase music opportunities for all children and young people, regardless of background by striving for high-quality music education in the region.
Derbyshire Music Hub is a collaboration between local and regional music organisations, led by the Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership. AT DJS, we work together to create joined up, high quality music education in and out of school. We are proud to offer every child in Year 4 the opportunity to learn the clarinet as part of the wider opportunities scheme available through the hub.
Rotary Club, Dronfield
The Rotary Club of Dronfield has been active in the community since its charter in April 1975, with a mission to help the disadvantaged locally and abroad. As a school, we take part in community events lead by the club such as music performance evenings and young photographer competitions.
English Institute of Sport
We hold our annual sports day at the EIS in Sheffield. This inspirational venue is a network of facilities and support services dedicated to improving the performance of elite athletes in Great Britain.
National Partnerships
The Geographical Association (GA)
A prominent organisation in the UK dedicated to supporting geography education. It serves as a subject association for geography teachers, promoting the discipline and advocating for its importance in education.
The Historical Association
The Historical Association bring together people who share an interest in, and love for the past and to further the study and teaching and enjoyment of history in all guises and forms: professional, public and popular.
PSHE Association
PSHE education is a school curriculum subject in England that helps children and young people stay healthy, safe and prepared for life – and work – in modern Britain.
OPAL Play
Opal Play believe that every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day – with no exceptions
Natre RE
NATRE, the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education, is the leading subject teacher association dedicated to supporting and empowering professionals in the field of Religious Education (RE), Religious Studies (RS) and religion and worldviews education. With a strong commitment to educators across diverse schools and institutions, NATRE provides invaluable resources and comprehensive guidance at every stage of the career journey.
National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that empowers children, young people, and adults with the literacy skills they need to succeed.
Bebras - Raspberry Pi Foundation & University of Oxford
‘Bebras’ means ‘beaver’ in Lithuanian; Prof. Valentina Dagiene named the competition after this hard-working, intelligent, and lively animal.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation has teamed up with Oxford University to support the Bebras Challenge, which every November invites students to use computational thinking to solve classical computer science problems re-worked into accessible and interesting questions.
NSPCC
The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) is a UK charity established in 1884, dedicated to preventing cruelty to children in all its forms. It’s mission includes lobbying the government on child welfare issues and running public awareness campaigns about child abuse.
Barclays Life Skills Programme
A free employability and financial education programme, to unlock skills and employment opportunities for all ages. Accessed through educators, organisations, families or directly, as well as our specialist charity partners who work in under-represented communities providing tailored support.
School Games
The School Games is a programme which puts physical activity and school sport at the heart of schools, providing young people with the opportunity to learn through physical activity and competition to achieve their personal best.