welcome to holy spirit catholic & church of england primary … · holy spirit catholic &...
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to
Holy Spirit Catholic &
Church of England Primary School
Welcome – we hope you enjoy finding out about our school!
I have the privilege and joy to be Headteacher of the Holy Spirit Catholic and Church of England Primary School. Our school offers a faith education based upon the Christian values of both Catholic and Anglican churches. We are very proud of our inclusive nature at Holy Spirit; our aim is to provide a happy school where children, families and colleagues feel welcome and valued.
We work closely with the Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Anglican Parish of St.Chad’s. We are well supported by Father John Feeney and Rev. Aline Watts - they are active members of our community and regular visitors to our school.
We place a strong emphasis on making learning fun, and our children enjoy coming to school; all are loved and respected. We encourage children to take an active role in their development and provide a motivating curriculum which delivers learning through interesting topics and activities. We strive to raise aspirations, create successful learners and have high expectations of our everyone in our school.
We know our children and families well and work in partnership to help improve outcomes for our children. There are many opportunities throughout the year for families to become involved in school life and find out what their children are doing!
If you are interested in finding out more about Holy Spirit please come and visit us to experience what we have to offer you and your child ~ I am sure you won’t be disappointed!
Looking forward to meeting you soon,
Amanda Donelan
Headteacher
Mission Statement
The school team have written and adopted the following mission statement which is at the core of everything we do every day.
To teach and encourage the celebration of the Anglican and Catholic faith and thereby promote a good Christian Community, at the centre of which is the worship of God.
To develop and teach a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum, appropriate to the needs of the individual child and to acknowledge and develop fully each child’s potential within a caring environment.
To work towards each child’s realisation of self-esteem and to recognise the contributions which can be made by all children in the use of their individual talents and qualities.
To value the contribution of each staff member and encourage them to undertake training for their own development and the good of the school.
To foster an openness in communication and relationships within the school and community in the decision making process.
To forge links between home, school and parish and within the world wide community.
Faith in Achievement
“In the living love of Jesus, we try to love tenderly, act justly, walk humbly with God”
Partnership With Parents
It is important that parents and staff work together to ensure a
child’s development in school. Our school prides itself upon
being a warm, friendly place where families are valued and
welcomed. We have an open door policy and encourage families
to talk regularly with staff about any concerns or share news and
successes.
We are delighted to extend this partnership to our youngest members by opening the Holy
Spirit Playgroup; a voluntarily run play session for parents with children aged from birth to
pre-school. School staff often attend to meet up with families and get to know children
before they even enter school! We offer home visits for our youngest children as they
begin school and an induction that is individual to each child.
Once your child had started school, we organise two parent
evenings each year for families to discuss their children’s progress.
During these meetings parents and pupils will talk with the class
teacher and complete pupil reviews so that we work in partnership
to identify children’s strengths and areas for development or
further support. At the end of the school year a written report
summarises achievements and offers targets for children to work
towards.
The school has an active Parent Council, which is an open meeting for parents to meet with
school staff each term to find out what the school is working towards, voice their opinions
and make suggestions about how we can work together to make improvements. We work
hard to listen to families and be open and honest in all our responses. We also host an
annual open week when families can join in with their child’s class and find out what really
goes on in school!
We have developed a positive behaviour management system which recognises good
behaviour with praise, stickers, house points, certificates and activity time. If at any time a
child’s progress or behaviour causes concern, the school will work with the child’s family to
address the matter. Families are encouraged to assist in school with various activities and
outings. We hold a weekly Catholic Mass and an Anglican Eucharist as well as several
special occasions and events throughout the year which you are welcome to attend.
The Curriculum
Younger children’s needs are met through an active Early Years Foundation Stage
which provides supported, directed and independent tasks for children to learn.
Teaching and topics are fun, lively and engaging so that our children can develop
socially, emotionally and academically without even realising! Good use is made of
the outdoor area and children are encouraged to be creative problem solvers who are
motivated to try new things and curious about the world around them.
We have developed our own Curriculum to meet the needs of our KS1 (Infant) and KS2
(Junior) children. Our focus for younger children is to develop the core skills of
language, reading, writing, spelling and mathematics and foster a love of learning;
enabling them to become confident and resilient.
Learning is planned around topics to interest the chil-
dren and our core learning is evident in every les-
son—we even learn maths when we do P.E!
As children grow older we introduce more breadth into their learning; our focus
in Years 3 & 4 extends core learning and provides further knowledge of science,
history, geography, art & design, music and physical education. We use ICT to
make learning exciting and prepare children for the
ever changing world they are growing up in. The final Years 5 & 6 give our pupils the
opportunity to become more responsible for their learning; to aspire to high
expectations and ensure they are ready for secondary
school.
Every child is given targets to work towards and can talk
about what they have learnt and know their next steps.
We celebrate children’s learning in a termly assembly
when they tell the whole school what they have learnt. We believe that this
motivates children and encourages them to take responsibility for their learning. The
practical activities we provide enable young minds to develop problem solving and
creative thinking skills. We have invested in wireless networking and the
refurbishment of classrooms to enable active learning and the use of technology
to equip our children for their future.
Teachers continuously assess every individual so that pupils may achieve their full
potential. We are always seeking to challenge and interest our pupils and our
reflective practice ensures that the school is constantly moving forwards. Our
curriculum is further enhanced by educational visits and residential trips, visiting
theatre companies, artists and musicians and our strong links with local
secondary schools who offer specific subject teaching and opportunities to visit
and use their facilities and expertise.
Homework
Children benefit from linking their learning in school with what they do at home. This
may be sharing a reading book at home each day or completing Maths and English
tasks and activities appropriate for other curriculum areas. The frequency of these
tasks will depend on the year group involved and guidance is given as to expectations
and timings.
Extra-curricular Activities
Our school staff offer children a wide range of out-of-school
activities so that they may extend their skills and have fun outside
normal teaching hours. At present these activities include; seasonal
sport (hockey, netball, football, tennis), ICT club, choir, board games,
family church, craft and cookery. We run an after school activity
every day of the week!
We also have visiting music specialists available to teach a variety of
instruments and techniques. We have enjoyed many successes on
the sports field with several teams reaching county tournaments.
We work with local sports coaches and football academies to
provide our children with specialist input.
Staff recognise how much children gain from participating in
activities outside the classroom and endeavour to provide a broad
range of activities that foster team work and co-operation as well as
leadership skills. Older children are encouraged to participate in a
residential visit where they experience outward bound activities,
whilst younger children have the opportunity to participate in day
trips linked to the topic they are learning.
We believe that these sorts of events develop relationships amongst children and teaching
staff and are a positive enhancement of our curriculum.
Special Educational Needs
We consider every child to be unique and understand that each individual has their own
strengths. To ensure that we meet the needs of every pupil we identify those children who
may need more support in their learning. We then plan individual programmes of work
and provide specialist classroom assistance for children who may need additional help or
enrichment activities for those who are identified as gifted and talented.
The school is fortunate to have well qualified Teaching Assistants who work alongside
children in the classroom and also deliver specific programmes of support on a one to one
basis. We have invested in a Reading Recovery Teacher who is able to offer early
intervention to ensure that children have the best possible chance of accessing the
curriculum. We also have Higher Level Teaching Assistants who work with small groups of
children outside the classroom providing specialised teaching and learning experiences.
Our school has a focus for Speech and Language Therapy; we were the first primary school
to have been trained by therapists to deliver programmes in school which are then
assessed by therapists on school visits—none of our children attend clinic appointments as
all of their language support is delivered in school. We have shared this good practice with
other schools across Wirral.
Another strength is the support we provide for those children with English as an Additional
language and we have been identified by the local education Authority as a school of ex-
cellence for settling children who are new to the area and supporting their families.
Our main aim is that children feel happy, secure and loved in our school so that they can
achieve the very best outcomes. Our children flourish in our supportive, challenging
school.
Our Churches
We are a Voluntary Aided Catholic and Church of England Primary School under the direction
of the Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury and the Anglican Diocese of Chester. This means that
our school has a commitment to fostering self worth and value amongst
everyone who passes through our door. We work hard to establish an
atmosphere of calm and understanding where our children feel secure and
cared for. We are an inclusive school and welcome children and families
from every faith. The school’s chair of governors is our priest, Father John
Feeney and he is supported by our vicar, Aline Watts who is vice chair.
Together they are involved in the daily lives of our children and their families.
We welcome families to join us for Collective Worship on Tuesday
mornings and both Parishes offer support to families in whatever way
they can. This ranges from charitable care and providing courses for
parents, to developing extended hours and flexibility to support the
needs of families. Children are offered preparation classes to for
communion and both members of the clergy are in school early on the
morning of their services should families wish to see them. Many of
our children choose to be baptised or receive First Holy Communion
within our school service and we are privileged to share this special
time with our families.
You can also contact Father John Feeney or Reverend Aline Watts via the school or at the
following e-mail addresses:
Caring for our Children
We consider ourselves to be a very caring school and take pride in how we care for our look af-
ter children. We have been awarded several commendations for our work including:
School Dinners & Healthy Eating
We are a healthy eating school. We teach children
about food and how to look after themselves and
encourage them to be active and healthy. Our school
meals are provided by Metro
and have a daily choice of
main meals accompanied by
a salad bar for children to
help themselves to. We
provide school milk and we
have water coolers in each
corridor. Our younger children receive a piece of fruit
every day and toast is available for every child to
purchase three times per week.
Rights Respecting School
We have been awarded with the NSPCC RRS award
for the work we do with children to help them
understand their rights and their responsibilities to
themselves, others and the wider world. This ethos
permeates throughout our school day.
ECO School
We are also an ECO school and children learn about
protecting their environment
and how to look after their
locality. We have a school
allotment and classes all have
the opportunity to grow their
own produce.
Rewarding Children
We focus on rewarding positive behaviour and have
regular opportunities to celebrate success. Children
are encouraged to behave well and try of their best
every day. If they succeed in doing so, they are
rewarded by participation in Golden Time
activities at the end of the afternoons.
We have a weekly whole school celebration assembly where we come together to recognise children’s
achievements. Individuals are rewarded for their effort, academic progress, their ability to care for others and
their contribution to the life of the school. Classes compete for the best attendance and House points are
totalled to find out which group has excelled themselves during the week. We expect high standards from the
children and feel that their efforts should be praised. We also reward children for good manners and playing
kindly by giving them a seat on the top table at lunchtime!
School Uniform
School uniform can be ordered from Tesco, either online or in any store or from the school shop
on Birkenhead market.
Boys wear navy or grey trousers or shorts
with a yellow or white polo shirt and navy
blue sweatshirt.
All sweatshirts and polo shirts are embroidered
with the school logo.
Girls wear navy or grey skirts or
pinafores with a yellow or white polo shirt
and navy blue sweatshirt or cardigan.
Yellow or blue summer dresses are worn in
warm weather.
PE Kit
Navy or black shorts and a yellow or white
embroidered T-shirt with black plimsoles or
trainers are worn for PE.
Kit bags can also be
purchased in school
colours.
Additional Items
Reading folders, caps and legionnaire hats
embroidered with the school logo can be
purchased. Also available are waterproof
fleece jackets and outer fleece jackets.
Children can purchase water bottles from
the school reception to be kept in their
classroom.
Please ensure that every item of clothing is clearly named
—we cannot be responsible for un-named property.
Additional Information
Please find the following documents enclosed:
School Admission Form
Earl Years Leaflet
OfSTED Report
Holiday Dates
School Organisation
2013—2014
Headteacher Mrs Amanda Donelan
Deputy Headteacher Mrs Joanne Cartmell
SENCO Mrs Anne Porter
Foundation Stage— F2 Miss Nikki Holmes Teacher
Mrs Ali Lakin & Miss Monique Liversidge Teaching Assistants
F1 Miss Joanne Dawson & Mrs Claire Holmes Teachers
Mrs Jackie Kelly Teaching Assistant
KS1
Year 1 Miss Clodagh O’Sullivan Teacher
Mrs Margaret Allman Teaching Asssitant
Year 2 Mrs Joanne Chapman-Roberts Teacher
Mrs Cath Pendleton Teaching Assistant
KS2
Year 3 Mrs Joanne Cartmell Teacher
Miss Sharon Bunnell Teaching Assistant
Years 4 Mr David Ravenscroft Teacher
Mrs Lisa Brandrick Teaching Assistant
Year 5 Mr Michael Duggan Teacher
Mrs Lianne Derbyshire Teaching Assistant
Years 6 Mrs Sandra Burrows Teacher
Family Liaison & PPA cover EYFS & KS1 Miss Sarah Head KS2 Mrs Therese Malley
Number on Role & Attendance
We are able to accept a maximum of 30 children into each year
group. Once children are of legal school age (from the
September following their fourth birthday) they must attend full
time school every day. We ask parents to telephone to report
absence and illness and children must be signed in and out of
school for medical appointments. Children must not take family
holidays during term time and permission for exceptional
circumstances must be sought from the Headteacher.
Contact Details
School Administrator : Miss Kate Roxburgh
School Business Manager : Mrs Elaine Hughes
Holy Spirit Catholic & C of E Primary School
Gardenside, Leasowe, Wirral, CH46 2RP
Tel: 0151 638 5180 Fax: 0151 6388700
E-mail:[email protected]
School Timings School opens 8.55am Morning Break 10.30—10.45
Lunch FS 11.30am KS1 11.45 am KS2 12.00pm
School Closes 3.30pm
Nursery Morning session: 8.55am —12pm Nursery Lunch Session: 12-12.30pm Nursery Afternoon Session: 12.30—3.30pm