Gomersal St. Mary's CE(A) First & Nursery School

Admission arrangements

Since September 2009, Kirklees have operated a single point of entry enabling all pupils to start full time education in the year they are 5 from 1st September to 31st August.

For details of our school admission arrangements please refer to our current admissions policy.

The School Curriculum

The school curriculum is broad and balanced as required by the National Curriculum. English, Mathematics, Science and Information Communications Technology are the core subjects. History, Geography, Design Technology, Music, Art and PE are foundation subjects.

Children in Year 3, 4 and 5 go swimming each week and this forms part of the PE curriculum. All classes have weekly lessons in music, which is provided by Mrs Lockwood, and a lesson in dance provided by Mrs Hulley, a qualified dance teacher.

We aim to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and so prepare them for the many opportunities and experiences of adult life. Educational visits are an important part and parents are asked for voluntary contributions to cover the costs.

The school has a choir and recorder groups and takes part in the annual Kirklees music Festival each year.

Sex education

The school’s sex education policy explains how sex education is taught in school. Explicit sexual education is not given. When questions in this area arise answers are given which the children can understand and appreciate.

Religious Education

In a Church Aided School, Christianity has a central place in Relgious Education but within this, a respect and understanding of other faiths is encouraged.

The school seeks to provide a moral environment where Christian principles are seen in action. Religious teaching takes place both in class and in assemblies. The school has a close working relationship with St Mary’s Church and with other members of the church and the local community. Members of the church take regular assemblies in school.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of religious education and collective worship, if they wish to do so, the matter should be discussed with the Head teacher.

Collective Worship

The daily act of worship takes place in the school and sometimes the children visit St Mary’s Church for a special event or assembly.

Behaviour

We encourage a positive approach to discipline and expect all members of our school community to treat each other, and the school, with courtesy and respect. Self-discipline is something we wish to develop and encourage in our children. We have a few rules and these only exist to enable the school to run smoothly and safely.

We work to our school code:

Always be Considerate, Careful, Caring, Courteous to everyone and everything

Special Education Needs

The school Special Educational Needs policy follows the guidance of the Code of Practice. Meeting children’s special educational needs is the shared responsibility of the Governors and teachers. We recognise that all children are individuals, and our aim is to ensure that all children receive an education appropriate to their needs. Pupils with special educational needs are taught within the normal classroom context. Class teachers monitor and evaluate each child’s progress with guidance from the Special Needs Co-ordinator. The school actively encourages parents to be involved and to support their child’s education.

Children With A Disability

The school makes every effort to cater for children with a disability. Where a child with disabilities is to be admitted the Headteacher and governing body work closely with the parents and the asset management team to ensure that all reasonable adjustments are made to ensure a smooth induction to school life. The school liaises with outside agencies whom are able to offer specialist help. The school currently has 1 adult disabled toilet. As the school is on one level, the building is suitable for wheelchair access.

Assessment

During the school day the children’s learning is assessed by their teacher in order to provide children with the best opportunity to make progress.

In the Foundation Stage we assess children’s knowledge and understanding using the stepping stones, which lead to the achievement of the Early Learning Goals in the Foundation Stage.

At the end of Key Stage 1 children take the Standard Assessment Tests (SATs). In Key Stage 2 children take the optional SAT’s to enable staff to monitor their progress.

Each term children are assessed in reading, writing and maths.

Reading Books

We ask that all books be carried in a bag to and from school and we sell a strong book bag for this purpose. We also ask that books are paid for which are lost or damaged.