LAMPS External Relationships

Lindal Playgroup

Lindal and Marton Primary School has a close relationship with the Lindal Playgroup, which uses the school hall for children in their pre-school year. Towards the end of the final term with Rising Fives, playgroup children have some lessons with the LAMPS Reception children. When they start school the children usually settle in very quickly because of this gentle introduction to formal lessons.

Dalton Extended Schools Cluster

LAMPS has been granted Extended School status. This means that it provides information about, or signposts to, childcare and activities outside school hours, covering the time from 8am to 6pm. Information about extended schools provision is posted on the Parents Noticeboard in the school cloakroom.

LAMPS provides pre-school care from 8am onwards, by arrangement with parents who find it difficult to provide such care outside school. LAMPS also runs a variety of after-school clubs.

Extended services clusters exist throughout Cumbria. LAMPS is a member of the Dalton Cluster, which is co-ordinated by Dowdales School. A varied range of activities may be offered, including study support, access to specialist support, family learning and support, adult learning, and leisure opportunities. Recently, this has included opportunities for attending after-school athletics training, and a dance club.

A Children's Centre for after-school care is currently being developed at Dalton under the Government's scheme for a national group of such centres. The centre will be based in a new extension to the health clinic next to the entrance to Dowdales School grounds. This is due to open in Spring 2008.

Transfer to Secondary School

LAMPS staff work in close liaison with both Dowdales School, Dalton and Ulverston Victoria High School. Arrangements for visits etc are made with both schools to ease the transfer of children to secondary school.

Pupils in Year 6 are required to apply for places at three secondary schools. Information on the admissions process and application forms are provided to the pupils via LAMPS. Information is also provided on transport policy, financial assistance, special needs, complaints, etc.

The secondary school applications and allocations process in Cumbria is managed by the Cumbria County Council School Places Team in Carlisle.