St Monica’s Catholic Primary SchoolProspectus

Sharing the “good news” along the path to achievement

Index1. Contextual Information

2. Mission Statement

3. Admissions Policy

4. Transition Arrangements

5. Governance

6. Staff

7. Class Organisation

8. School Uniform

9. Care and Discipline

10. Attendance

11. Key Stage 2 Results

1. Contextual Information

St Monica’s Catholic Primary School serves the parish of St Monica’s and, in general, takes children from the South Warrington areas of Appleton, Stockton Heath and Walton. A small minority of children come from adjacent areas. Currently, there are 195 children on roll. A higher than average percentage of children are from families where parents have professional occupations. Currently the intake is predominantly Catholic (83%) although we do have some children from other faith backgrounds. The free school meals status of the school is 6%. The percentage of children with special educational needs is 16% with 4% of children in receipt of either a statement of special educational need or CLASP Medical funding. Most of our children are white British.

St Monica’s Parish is one of three Warrington Primary Schools in the Diocese of Shrewsbury. Cardinal Newman Catholic High School is the Diocesan Secondary provision in Warrington that our school feeds to. However, our children transfer to a variety of different schools and : Loreto and St Ambrose Grammar schools in Altrincham and Hale Barns, St Gregory’s Catholic High School in Penketh; St Nicholas’ Catholic High School in Hartford and Bridgewater High School in Appleton.

At the end of 2015, our Year 6 children transferred to the following schools:

Bridgewater High School ... 16Cardinal Newman Catholic High School ... 3Loreto Grammar School ... 1St. Gregory's Catholic High School ... 1St. Nicholas Catholic High School ... 2Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College ... 1Sandymoor School ... 1

In July 2012, the school was judged as a Good school by Ofsted against the new inspection framework. In November 2012 RE Inspectors judged the Religious Education provision as Good with many outstanding features. In 2012, our Key Stage 2 results placed us as the highest attaining and achieving school in the local authority. The school generally maintains a high ranking for achievement and attainment against other like schools in the local authority.

The school opened an on site Pre-school facility in January 2009, making flexible provision for 30 children per session. In March of 2010, this provision was inspected by Ofsted and was graded as Good with Outstanding grades for Enjoyment and Achievement and Contribution to the Community. Following its last local authority audit it was awarded the highest rating that can be achieved. The Pre-school is well integrated in to the school and staff in both Pre-school and Reception plan and co-ordinate activities together. Pre-school children are fully involved in the life of the school.

The Pre-school staff also run a Mini Monica’s Toddler Club running in school every Tuesday at 9am, offering further opportunity for parents with Pre-school children to become familiar with the school.

2. Mission Statement

As a Catholic School St Monica’s Staff and Governors are committed to:

•assist in the Church’s mission of making Christ known to all people. That is to place Christ and the teaching of the Catholic Church at the centre of the lives of the children and the community we serve in order that they can have true freedom and fullness of life. •assist parents, who are the primary educators of their children, in the education and religious formation of their children

•be at the service of the Parish of St Monica’s and foster communion within the parish

•contribute to the creation of an inclusive and cohesive society that is highly educated, skilled and cultured for the common good of that society

In order to fulfil these commitments we aim to:

•put Christ at the centre of everything we do by integrating the gospel values and teachings of the Catholic Church into every aspect of learning, teaching and the totality of school life

•provide an excellent broad and balanced education to help children to grow to their full human potential and pay regard for the formation of the whole person

•be an integral part of the spiritual, pastoral and community life of the parish of St Monica’s, the Diocese of Shrewsbury and the universal church. The celebration of this unity finds its complete expression in our weekly parish celebration of the Eucharist

•assist children in forming a spirituality based on a maturing relationship with God and to form personal values, rooted in the teachings of Christ, which will enable them to understand their roles, responsibilities and aspirations as citizens in society and the world.

The Gospel Values are objective values rooted in the Beatitudes, the proclamation of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Matt.5: 3-12). We recognise that adherence to the values of faithfulness and integrity; dignity and compassion; humility and gentleness; truth and justice; purity and holiness; tolerance and peace; service and sacrifice, as expressed in the Beatitudes, offers a guarantee of peace and of collaboration among all citizens in the shared commitment to serving the common good.

3. Admissions Policy 2014/2015The Catholic Faith and the Teachings of the Roman Catholic Church have an essential role in school life and influence every aspect of the Curriculum. We ask all parents applying for a place here to respect this ethos and its importance to the school community. This does not affect the right of parents who are not of the Faith of this school to apply for and be considered for a place here.

•St Monica’s is a Catholic Primary School under the trusteeship of the Diocese of Shrewsbury and is maintained by Warrington Local Authority.

•As a Voluntary Aided School, the Governing Body is the Admissions Authority and is responsible for taking decisions on applications for admissions.

•The co-ordination of admissions arrangements is undertaken by the Local

Authority.•For the school’s year commencing September 2015, the Governing Body has set its published admissions number for Reception at 30.

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

Admissions to the school will be made by the Governing Body. All preferences listed on the Local Authority Preference Form will be considered on an equal basis with the following set of ADMISSIONS CRITERIA forming a priority order where

applications for admission received are more than the school has available.1. Children in care or children formerly in care who have ceased to be so because they have been adopted or

become subject to a residency order or special guardianship order2. Baptised Catholic children who have a sibling in the school at the time of admission.3. Baptised Catholic children from the parish of St Monica’s. 4. Baptised Catholic children from other parishes. 5. Non-Catholic children with siblings in the school at the time of admissions. 6. Other children.

Admissions Policy Notes

a) All applicants will be considered at the same time and after the closing date for admissions which is 15th January 2014.

b) All Catholic applicants will be required to produce baptismal certificates.

c) The school admission code 2012 allows additional children to be admitted above the published admission number under very limited exceptional circumstances even when it breaches the infant class size limit. Twins and children from multiple births may exceptionally be offered places when one of the siblings is the 30th child admitted.

d) If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of distance from

home to school, those living nearer to the school having priority. (Pupils living nearest to the school defined ‘as the crow flies’ from the child’s permanent place of residence to the school, measured using a Geographical Information address point system based on Ordnance Survey). In the event of distances being the same for 2 or more applicants where this distance would be the last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place. All the names will be entered into a hat and the required number of places will be drawn out.

e) Where a child lives with parents with shared responsibility, each for part of a week, the child’s ‘permanent place of residence’ will be determined as the address of the parent who normally has responsibility for the majority of school days in a week.

f) Sibling is defined as a brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or the child of the parent/carer’s partner where the child for whom the school place is sought is living in the same family unit at the same address as that sibling.

g) A waiting list for children who have not been offered a place will be kept and ranked in order according to the admission criteria. Parents will be informed of their child’s position on the waiting list which will not be operated for longer than the end of the Autumn Term.

h) Parents can request that the date their chid is admitted to school is deferred until later in the school year or until the child reaches compulsory school age in that school year. In these circumstances a place is reserved and it is not available for another child provided the place is taken up during that same academic year.

i) For ‘In Year’ applications received outside the normal admissions round and if places are available then children qualifying under the published criteria will be admitted. If there are places available but more applicants than places then the published oversubscription criteria will be applied. ‘In Year’ and late applications will be treated as per the co-ordinated arrangements published by the Local Authority.

j) If an application for admission has been turned down by the Governing Body, parents can appeal to an Independent Appeals Panel. This appeal must be sent in writing to the Clerk to the Governors at the school within 14 days (10 working days) of refusal. Parents must give reasons for appealing in writing and the decision of the Appeals Panel is binding on

the Governors.

4. Transition ArrangementsThe transition of children to and from our school is very important in order that their learning is as uninterrupted as possible, that they quickly settle in to school and that the teaching activities offered to them are as appropriately matched to their ability as possible. The addition of our Pre-school has facilitated improved transition for younger children as they are naturally integrated into the life of the school on a daily basis.

New Intake: We offer a number of activities for the parents and children entering our Reception Class each year. On receipt of the names of children who have accepted places, we:

a) Contact parents to invite them into a meeting during which all practical arrangements are shared. This is usually held during the first part of the Summer Term.

b) Visit children in their nursery settings – we will contact the nurseries directly and make an arrangement to visit. The respective nurseries will inform parents of the planned date of a visit. If a child isn’t attending a nursery, we will arrange a home visit.

c) Invite the children to visit St Monica’s during the second half of the Summer Term. Children will receive a formal invitation in the post.

d) Invite parents to read the School’s Weekly Newsletters on our website or send them to parents during the second half of the Summer Term in order to provide information about the life of our school

e) Invite parents and children to attend Summer Term events e.g. Sports and Gala Dayf) Phased entry in September i.e. children start with half days for two weeks. During the first week the new

intake children will attend either a morning session or afternoon session. The following week they swap around and also either stay for lunch (if they have attended in the morning) or arrive for lunch (if they are staying for the afternoon session). The drop off and collection time during this week is 12.30pm. On the third week all children come to school full time.

g) Early Parent Meetings in the Autumn Termh) PTA New Parents Coffee Morningi) Practical Workshop for parents of Reception children on the Foundation Stage Curriculum

Secondary TransferWe enjoy close relations with our Partner High School, Cardinal Newman Catholic High, and the transition arrangements for the children ensure a smooth transition to this next phase of their education. We also have links with Bridgewater High school as a local community school that some of our children transfer to. Transition activities involve taster days, invitations to events at the high school and regular teaching in our school by High School staff. Meetings between staff are scheduled to discuss pupils and transfer of records. Similar arrangements are in place for children transferring to other high schools.

In year transition in to all classesFrom time to time children transfer into different classes in school, sometimes due to relocation and sometimes because parents choose a different education provision for a variety of reasons. Children making this sort of transition into our school are also offered transition visits in order to meet their new class and familiarise themselves with the school before they start. These visits are arranged with the Headteacher at the time of application. Parents should speak to the school regarding the process for in-year admissions.

5. The GovernorsThe Governing Body, together with the Headteacher of the school, is responsible for the strategic leadership of the school. Governors at St Monica’s play an important role in actively monitoring the work the school does and supporting in areas in which they have significant expertise.

The Governing Body at St Monica’s is currently made up of 14 members. Seven of these members are Foundation Governors who are elected by the Diocese. Two Governors are elected by the Parent Body and two are staff representatives. There has to be one elected LEA representative and the Headteacher automatically becomes a Governor on appointment to the position. The Governors have also invited 2 Governors as associate governors to the governing body. The breakdown of the membership is as follows:

Foundation Governors (7)Mrs. Kath Hetherington Chair of GovernorsMrs. Clare WadsworthMrs. Eileen DiakunMrs. Louise BarkerMrs. Zenobia StorahMr. Gabriel HardyMrs. Marie Martin

Elected Parent Governors (2)Mr Tony SmithersMr Lee Harrison

Associate Governors (2)Mr. Richard StorahMrs. Gaynor Twiss

 Local Authority Governor (1)Mrs. Mary Ainsworth Staff Governors (2) Acting Headteacher: Mrs. Annette Norman e-mail: StMonicas_Primary_Head@warrington.gov.ukTeacher Governor: Mrs Hayley Cornelia Tel via school: 01925 267609 email: stmonicas_primary@warrington.gov.uk

Governing Body MeetingsThere is a statutory requirement for Governors to hold a full Governing Body Meeting once per term. Our Governing Body also have sub committees who meet at least termly to consider issues and developments in relation to particular aspects of the school’s work.

Governors with specific responsibilities Most of our Governors hold a role that entails the monitoring of specific aspects of the schools work and these positions are as follows:Inclusion (Special Needs and Gifted and Talented) Mrs Z StorahNumeracy Governor Mrs. L BarkerLteracy GovernorChild Protection Governor Mrs C WadsworthHealth and Safety Governor Mr A SmithersRE Governor Mrs L BarkerICT Governor Mr G HardyEarly Years Governor Mrs. M Martin

Governors Reports and Meetings with ParentsFollowing the Education Act 2005, the Governing Body is no longer required to hold an Annual Parents’ Meeting, nor to produce a Governor’s Annual Report. These have now been replaced by the School Profile, which is available on line at http://schoolsfinder.direct.gov.uk/ . Hyperlinks to the school Ofsted Report can also be found at this site .

6. StaffHeadteacher: Mrs A Norman (Acting Headteacher)

 Deputy Headteacher: Miss C.Williams (Acting Deputy)

 Teachers: Mrs P Keleher (Reception)

Mrs Coy and Mrs Yates (Y1)Mrs S Harman (Y2)Miss R Williams (Y3)Mrs H Cornelia & Mrs H Rowland (Y4)Mrs C Evans (Y5)Miss C Williams (Y6)

Higher Level Teaching Assistant: Mrs L Sisson

Teaching Assistants: Miss L ServiceMrs S AdamsMiss G ActonMrs J BuckleyMrs E WillMiss G BrennanMrs A TysonMrs E MorrowMrs G RichardsMrs S Vickers

Senior Office Administrator: Miss J CarterReceptionist & Office Support Mrs G Twiss

  

Maintenance Officer:Cleaner

Mrs P SheathMrs C Appleton 

Cook: Mrs A Wallace 

Kitchen Assistants: Mrs K BrazendaleMrs P Wilkinson

Mid Day Assistants: Mrs S Waterfield (SEN)Mrs C AppletonMrs S Sutton Mrs B Giles Mrs J DaileyMrs E Morrow 

Pre School  Pre-school Leader: Mrs R ShattockPre-school Deputy: Mrs G Moss);

Miss L Shaw, Mrs. N Cartledge and other casual staff as requiredPre-school Administrator: Mrs B. Hanna

 Staff Turnover is low and of staff leaving in the past three years have moved on to either promotions or retirement.

Supply Staff: Staff absence at our school is low but we do have a pool of regular supply staff for cover of any absence and Continued Professional Development (CPD) time out of class by our class teachers

 

7.Class OrganisationSt Monica’s is a one form entry school and children are taught in single classes. Children are grouped in classes according to age. When the number of children in a particular age group exceeds or is below that of an acceptable average sized class then the classes may be vertically grouped although this is not currently the case.

Key Stage 1 children work with either one full time teacher or with two 0.5 FTE teachers who work together as part of a job share arrangement throughout the week with the exception of one session per week when their teacher takes Planning, Preparation and Assessment Time (PPA), a statutory requirement of all schools. During this time the children will work with a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) for that period of time. Planning for this session remains the responsibility of the class teacher.

TimetableKey Stage 1 receives weekly teaching of 22.5 hours.Key Stage 2 receives weekly teaching of 25 hours.Infants: 8.55 am - 12 noon and 1.00 pm - 3.15 pm.Juniors: 8.55 am – 12.15pm and 1.15 pm - 3.30 pm.The school times quoted include time given to prayers and assemblies but excludes break times.

Key Stage 2 children work with either one full time teacher or with two 0.5 FTE teachers who work together as part of a job share arrangement. PPA time is provided by a Sports Coach who is employed to deliver high quality PE. From time to time staff in KS2 may plan to swap classes for the purposes of providing specialist teaching, e.g. in the teaching of Music, PE or RE. This also provides good preparation for the children’s eventual transition to Secondary School. In all cases great care is taken to ensure that the learning activities being undertaken by the children are correctly matched to their level of ability and they are making good progress.

8. School UniformSCHOOL UNIFORM K.S.2 (Juniors) K.S.1 (Infants)Winter

Girls Revered Collar Blue Blouse Revered Collar Blue Blouse Navy cardigan Navy cardigan

Kilted skirt Kilted skirt Or Or Navy pinafore Navy pinafore Navy cardigan Navy cardigan

Blue shirt Blue polo shirt School tieBoys Blue shirt Blue polo shirt

Navy jumper Navy jumperGrey trousers Grey trousersSchool tie

Summer

Girls Blue gingham dress Blue gingham dressNavy cardigan Navy cardigan

Boys Blue polo shirt Blue polo shirtGrey shorts Grey shorts

It is recommended that children wear summer uniform after the Easter break and revert back to wearing winter uniform after the October break, at the latest.PE Kit: All children require a white T-shirt and black shorts for P.E. together with gym shoes, which should be kept in school at all times in a named draw-string bag. A change of socks is also recommended for hygiene reasons. A tracksuit and trainers are necessary for outdoor sports in winter.

Shoes: Shoes should be of a sensible style, and preferably black. Trainers should not be worn for school. Children’s socks and hair bobbles should be in keeping with the school uniform colours white, blue, black or grey.

Hair: Children should wear hair of moderate style for school. Long hair (i.e. beyond the shoulders) should be tied back. Whilst the school acknowledges the use of gel to tidy unruly hair, only small amounts should be used and moderate styles worn e.g. Mohican and heavily gelled styles, although popular holiday and weekend styles, are not acceptable for school. Hair braiding is also popular among primary age children, particularly when they are on holiday. If your child is likely to be returning to school with braids, following a short school holiday, then parents are asked to ensure that the colours used are in keeping with school uniform colours.

Nail Polish: Please note that nail polish is not allowed to be worn for school.

ALL ARTICLES SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE CHILD’S NAME. Class teachers will conduct a check of the labelling of clothing and other personal items at the start of the academic year and parents will be requested to label any that are, at that point, unlabelled. We hold lost/ misplaced property in school but it is easier to return articles to children when they are labelled.

9. Pastoral Care and DisciplineAs a Church school, pastoral care is seen in the context of our Mission Statement commitment to help each child to develop in the light of the Gospel values. We are concerned not only for the educational progress of every child but also for their personal and social development.

Specific pastoral care in the school is undertaken by the class teachers and any child or parent can consult the class teacher about a problem. Should a matter be more serious or persistent, then an appointment with the Headteacher is advisable.

Quite often, any difficulties or major changes in the home environment can lead to changes or problems for a child at school and if we are informed of these events, we can often help by giving the child extra attention or support during a difficult period and by working with parents to provide appropriate support for them.

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE

The school is an extension of home and we seek to provide that same caring co-operative and supportive environment where each child can feel respected, valued and secure. Behaviour and discipline will be judged by whether it contributes to, or restricts the teaching and learning in class and the quality of relationships in the school.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE Key Stage 1 children who have an older brother and/ or sister in KS2 will be supervised by school staff between 3.15pm and 3.30pm in order that parents can collect all children together at the same time.  We have a Link Club in school that provides child care from 8 – 9am and 3.15 – 6pm each weekday. Arrangements for your child to stay in Link Club can be made through WASPS Link Clubs Tel: 01925 818689 or 07597951421. Further information regarding the Link Club can be found on the website.

Use of ForceFrom 1st September 1998 provision came into force which clarifies the powers of teachers, and other staff who have lawful control or charge of pupils, to use reasonable force to prevent pupils committing a crime: causing injury or damage: or causing disruption. The schools policy relating to the above is contained within the Behaviour/Bullying Policy. The policy stipulates staff authorised to use reasonable force to control or restrain pupils

We believe in the value of praise and recognition for reinforcing attitudes of co-operation and hard work, but we also believe that children should learn that actions do have consequences and these may be either positive or negative, depending on the choices a child makes. This is part of learning and we aim to help children to understand that whilst we have the freedom to make choices we also have a responsibility to make the right choices. For this reason our system of behaviour management encompasses both rewards and sanctions, which are appropriate for each age group.

10. AttendanceThe school requests that if a child is absent for any unexpected reason parents should contact school before 9:10 am on the morning of the absence. They should repeat this procedure each day of the absence unless otherwise agreed with the school. All absences should be followed up with a letter explaining a child’s absence when they return to school. The school operates a First Day Absence Contact policy, which means that in the event that you do not contact school before 9.10am to explain your child’s absence, the office staff will call your home. The call will then be noted in our records. Any unexplained absences will be recorded as unauthorised.

Only the Headteacher can approve any other leave of absence and requests should be made in writing directly. Holidays, unless for exceptional circumstances, will not be authorised. Please note that, exceptional circumstances are very rare and do not include parent work patterns and access to school holiday times. The schools current Attendance Policy can be found on the website. Planned absence that has not received the approval of the Headteacher will be recorded as unauthorised and the absence will be dealt with via school’s Attendance Policy.

Children who arrive late in the mornings should enter the school through the main entrance and register with the school secretary after 9:10 am. Children arriving during the registration period (8.55 – 9.10am) will be entered as late in the register and arrival after 9.10am will be recorded as an unauthorised absence. This is in line with national and local attendance guidance

Further details regarding attendance can be obtained from the school’s Attendance Policy available on request

Attendance Figures for 2014/2015 Overall attendance: 96.3% Our attendance figures, often among the highest in the authority, reflect the parental commitment to education and general good health of our children. They also indicate that children enjoy coming to school, a view that is regularly endorsed by parents. Attendance at school directly links to outcomes for children and parents are expected to make every effort to ensure their child both attends school and arrives at schoolon time.

Key Stage 2 Results 2015

DfE school performance tables website … http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance/

Year 6 L4+ L5+ L6+ Expected Progress

(2 levels from KS1 to KS2)

Reading 92 48 0 88

Writing 92 44 0 100

Maths 80 44 4 80

Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling 68 48 4

Reading, Writing, and Maths 80

Figures given are %