Prospectus
r Curriculum
Catholic values and beliefs are lived and expressed within school in all areas of teaching and learning. The curriculum is everything that is on offer from the school, both inside and outside of the classroom from which your child learns.
In addition to teaching the Faith, the children are taught in accordance with the Early Learning Goals (Early Years) and the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum.
It is our task to provide experiences which support, stimulate and structure a child’s learning and to bring about a progression of understanding appropriate to the child's needs and abilities. The foundation stage curriculum is organised in six areas of learning:
The National Curriculum requires that the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, the other foundation subjects of Technology, History, Geography, Music, Art and Physical Education, and the compulsory subject of Religious Education, be included in the curriculum of all pupils.
Each subject shall contain specified:
Although a minority of our curriculum content is presented in a thematic way, especially in the Infants, many skills, particularly those in Maths and English, still remain subject based.
Teachers monitor and assess pupils achievements throughout the year using both formal and informal methods.
Parents of all year groups receive a full written report at the end of the academic year indicating their child's progress including, where appropriate, the levels of attainment as determined by the assessment tasks.
Religious Education is provided within the timetables according to a syllabus authorised by the Bishop. Whilst the school uses the Salford RE Syllabus as a basis for its instruction, we believe that RE permeates the whole curriculum and every area of school life. The sacraments are seen as crucial to the child's spiritual development and confirmation of children, Reconciliation and Eucharist at Y3 are the major celebrations of the school year. Home, School and Parish work closely together to support the children in the Journey of Faith.
The promotion of equal opportunities is the concern of all those involved with the school and includes gender provision, academic provision for the more able as well as those who have special needs.
As a Catholic school we promote the development of caring attitudes to people of all communities. It is not a subject in itself, but permeates all our curriculum provision.
Provision is made as far as possible within the school for all children with special needs. Both the less and more able child are on a daily basis the responsibility of their own class teacher, however, on occasions they are withdrawn from class for additional help. The special needs co-ordinator does, however, advise and monitor the appropriateness of the individualised programme of work that is provided by the teacher for such children. To do this the school, in accordance with the code of practice recommended by the DFES, has in place a five stage model to give specific help to children who have special educational needs. The stages help us to both identify problems and match provision to the child's needs. Occasionally some children may need the help of outside support agencies, and these stages are used to facilitate this.
Disabled Children: Whilst we strive to accommodate children with varying degrees of disability we are unable to admit some children whose disablement is substantial as we are not a barrier free school.
Where physical difficulties do exist, curriculum and other provision is modified in order to ensure that no child is disadvantaged in any way.
Whilst instrumental tuition still takes place at St Mary's, this is not longer provided free by the LEA. Further information regarding arrangements for the loan of instruments and the costs involved are available from the Music Service.
Sport: Every child is given an opportunity to develop skills to the best of their ability in Physical Education and to become aware of the importance of fair play and good sportsmanship.
Through both curriculum provision and via a wide range of extra curricular activities the school develops skills in football, five-a-side, cricket, netball, rounders, athletics, cross-country, orienteering and swimming.
Out of School Activities: In addition to the school participating in all the sporting activities outlined above, there is also a range of After School Clubs all of which take place on a Tuesday evening. These include Homework, Drama, Badminton and Gym Clubs.
In addition, educational visits are a feature of school life from the earliest days. Y6 children also have the opportunity to go on a residential weekend during the Summer Term.
Responsibility for Trips: While the staff or other approved persons in charge of the party will take such care of the pupils as is reasonable in all circumstances, they cannot be held responsible for death or personal injury which does not involve negligence on their part, either during the visit or whilst travelling in connection therewith, nor can they be held responsible for any loss or damage to any child's property suffered either during a visit or whilst travelling in connection therewith.
The education of children in sexual matters is primarily the right and duty of parents. The school does, however, have a complementary role to play. Our Scheme of Work “In the Beginning”, which fully involves parents, and which has a Christian based approach to personal relationships is our main resource for education in this area. In addition the curriculum content of RE and particularly that of Personal and Social Education provide other opportunities for children's questions to be answered in a manner appropriate to the child's age and stage of development. Correct vocabulary for all parts of the body are given and human reproduction is explained as part of a loving, caring, human relationship. Children will be encouraged to refer to their parents for further information and should it be thought necessary by the Headteacher, parents may be contacted.
Children are encouraged to undertake extensions of school work at home.
In the Infant Department, children are encouraged to read at home and parents are expected to actively support this. In addition Y2 children will be expected to undertake additional homework.
In the Junior Department, continued support with your child's reading is expected in addition to other homework which is given on a regular basis. Parents are asked to supervise and help their children with these set assignments.
Within our Mission Statement we aim to provide a loving, caring, atmosphere enabling each child to develop academically, spiritually, socially and morally. As our children feel safe, secure and happy, they will have a maximum opportunity to learn. We believe the working partnership between home, school and the parish community is essential in enabling our children to recognise the respect for all its people and our environment.
We have a Discipline Policy based on the assertive discipline model. We praise good behaviour and reward pupils both individually and collectively. It also teaches pupils to choose responsible behaviour and in so doing, raise their self esteem and increase their academic success.
New Parents will be given information outlining the rules and discipline procedures at St Mary's, which they will be expected to sign and return to school including any comments they wish to make.
The rules and discipline procedure of St Mary's have been established for the protection of pupils. We expect the children to respect these rules and the people carrying them out. The staff require the support of the parents in promoting acceptable behaviour.
There are schoolwide discipline rules and class discipline rules. The consequences vary from verbal warnings, names on board, ticks after names to missing part of the playtime. Each class teacher, has a set of discipline rules we can supply on request.
Persistent or serious violations will result in disciplinary action and may result in suspension for a fixed number of days, or permanent exclusion.
We want school and home to work together so the children in our care benefit in a positive way from their time spent at St Mary's.
A House System also operates in the Junior Department providing a points system for merits and demerits.
Children are not allowed to wear earrings, bracelets or rings, but a watch is permissible.
Sweets and chocolate may only be brought into school if you wish the children in your child's class to share in a birthday celebration.