OQUEEN UR LADY
of HEAVEN Roman Catholic Primary School
WELCOME
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To Our Lady Queen of Heaven RC Primary School
e are very proud of our happy, caring and friendly school and we welcome visitors. Each month we have tours around the school which you can join to find out more about our school, the curriculum, the staff and ethos. Everyone in the school is committed to enabling the children to reach their full potential through the provision of high quality learning opportunities, a varied and stimulating curriculum and an individualised approach with equality of opportunity. We aim to nurture the spiritual, physical, intellectual, social and emotional growth of each pupil as a unique being created in God’s likeness. This brochure is designed to give you helpful information about our school – I look forward to meeting you and answering any question you may have. Angela Pitcher Headteacher
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Mission Statement rayer, worship, Liturgy and the Gospel message are central to our daily lives. The value and importance of our Catholic faith is reflected in our attitudes, relationships and charitable responses.
Every person within our school community matters and has the opportunity to achieve their full potential and exceed their expectations. We aim to deliver a broad and rich curriculum, appropriate and accessible to all pupils. We encourage respect for self and others by promoting positive attitudes and relationships within our school community. As individuals we recognize each others gifts, needs and contributions. As a school we aim to develop a trusting and supportive environment in which everyone feels valued and appreciated. By working closely with the home and parish we seek to prepare our pupils for their lives in the wider community. We help them develop as responsible and caring citizens, who are able to take ownership of their choices and actions in society as lifelong learners. In a caring and sharing environment we offer friendship and welcome to all. We seek to journey together with Christ as his disciples, learning from him how to live well.
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Contact Details Address: Our Lady Queen of Heaven R.C. Voluntary Aided Primary School Victoria Drive London SW19 6AD Telephone: Fax:
020 8788 7420 020 8789 6088
Timetable Key Stage 1: 9.05am – 12.15pm 1.25 pm – 3.30pm Key Stage 2: 9.05am – 12.30pm 1.25pm – 3.30pm The time spent on teaching each week including religious education but excluding assemblies, registration and breaks is as follows: Key Stage 1: 22 hours 30 minutes Key Stage 2: 24 hours 35 minutes School is open from 8.55 a.m. and members of staff are on duty in both playgrounds to supervise the children. Gates are locked ten minutes after the start and end of the school day for security.
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Behaviour Policy The aim is to develop self-discipline with a strong social awareness of the needs of others both inside and outside the school. To this end the school encourages the children to live out Gospel values and show loving kindness, care and consideration at all times to all people. If our teaching and example fail and anti-social and aggressive behaviour occurs, their privileges such as playtime are withheld. If unacceptable behaviour persists, parents will be contacted so that school and home can work together with the child. A Home School agreement is signed by school, parents and child when the children start school.
Pastoral Care and Welfare The safety and well being of every child is the responsibility of everyone in our school community – teachers, support staff, governors and parent helpers. We aim to promote the spiritual, moral and social development of the children as well as the academic. We have a duty to ensure our children are not at risk form any abuse. We will therefore investigate any physical injury if we cannot be sure that the cause was accidental. This could involve a report of our concern to the social services. Your child’s safety and well being are our first priority. The Headteacher has the responsibility for the pastoral care of all the children in the school and is the designated person for Child Protection.
Medical Matters On entry to school parents will be asked to complete a health questionnaire for their child. The school nurse is available for consultation in school by appointment. She is very happy to advise parents on medical issues. Dental, vision and hearing checks are carried out in school - parents’ permission will be sought. If your child is prescribed antibiotics by the Doctor, please ask for the dosage to be 2/3 times daily so your child can take their medicine outside the school day. For ongoing conditions such as asthma, children should have their inhalers in school and will be supervised to take their medication. If children have sickness and/or diarrhoea, please keep them at home until 24 hours after the symptoms cease. Children who are ill or who have had an accident in school will be seen by a member of staff who is a trained first aider. If it is thought that a child needs medical help or is unfit to be in school, parents are notified immediately. Parents are asked to supply the school with an up to date home address and telephone number, work / mobile number and also an alternative emergency contact.
Food School Meals A school lunch is provided by the Education Authority. Free school meals are available for some families on low incomes. Further information is available from the school office. Dinner money should be paid each Monday for the week or half-termly or termly in advance. Please ask in school for a copy of the current menu or look on our website. The meals offer good value for money and provide a healthy, balanced diet. There is always a choice of menu and children are encouraged to try ‘tasters’ of new dishes Alternatively, children may bring a healthy packed lunch – we encourage the children to make healthy choices and would ask that lunches include fruit and vegetables. Sweets and chocolates are not allowed in school. Milk Milk is provided for those who wish payable half-termly in advance. Milk is free for under 5s. Fruit We are part of the Healthy Fruit scheme. Children from Nursery through to Year 2 choose from a selection of fresh fruit each day, this is free to the children. Pupils in Key Stage 2 are encouraged to bring fruit to school for a break time snack or to buy from the school fruit tuck shop.
School Uniform Children are expected to wear school uniform. Most items can be bought at any store. Nursery Navy blue joggers; navy blue sweatshirt with school crest; white polo shirt; plain navy blue coat or anorak; black shoes. Summer - navy blue shorts.
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Reception Girls Navy blue sweatshirt with school crest; white polo shirt; plain navy blue coat or anorak; sensible black shoes, navy skirt or pinafore, navy tights / white socks. In summer blue and white check dresses may be worn. Reception Boys Navy blue sweatshirt with school crest; white polo shirt; plain navy blue coat or anorak; sensible black shoes, dark grey flannel type trousers, grey socks Boys Y1 - 6 Dark grey flannel type trousers or shorts; white shirt; school tie; navy blue pullover; navy blue blazer (optional); grey socks; black shoes;* plain navy blue coat or anorak. Girls Y1 - 6 Navy blue pleated skirt or pinafore; white blouse; school tie; navy blue
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cardigan; navy tights; navy blue blazer (optional); white socks; black sensible shoes; plain navy blue coat or anorak. Summer dresses are blue and white check. Summer sandals should be chosen with care - open toes and heels are not allowed. P.E. Navy blue shorts; white top; navy blue track suit (optional); black plimsolls or trainers Swimming Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 Girls: swim suit (navy), cap and towel. Boys: swimming trunks (navy) and towel and cap A suitable bag should be provided to carry these items. Foundation Stage sweatshirts, badges, ties and summer and winter hats can be bought from the school.All items of clothing should be marked clearly with the pupil’s name. Name tapes may be ordered through the school. No jewellery except watches is allowed. Earrings should not be worn in school – wearing jewellery of any kind poses a health and safety risk to the children particularly in PE. Hair should be neat and if long should be tied back, again for health and safety reasons. *Shoes should be sensible ie suitable for running about in the playground.
Extra Curricular Activities and Educational Visits The school offers a variety of extra curricular clubs. These include guitar, football, netball, cricket, art, Tag Rugby, gardening, choir, cookery and cricket. There are lunchtime clubs for Recorder, sewing and story club. The children are also encouraged to take part in various sports activities such as football, cricket and netball matches, Swimming Gala, Cross Country and musical events eg Wandsworth Carol Festival. Visits to places of educational interest such as museums, galleries, religious buildings and parks play an important part in enriching the curriculum. Each summer Year 6 spend a week on a residential school journey, taking part in a range of challenging and enjoyable activities.
Charging Policy There are no fees payable for the education of children at Our Lady Queen of Heaven School. However we ask parents to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of class outings and some after school clubs. As a Voluntary Aided school, the Governors have a responsibility to insure the building and maintain the external parts. For this we ask parents to make a voluntary contribution per term per family. We reserve the right to charge parents for books, etc., that have been lost at home or deliberately defaced.
Homework, helping your child at home and parent partnership In Nursery children bring home books to share and discuss with you. From Reception to Year 6 children bring home school reading books - they need to read to you or older siblings each night. In Reception children practice handwriting and sounds. In Year One they begin to take home simple homework activities such as writing sentences or practising number skills. In Year 2 this increases to a short piece of homework (20 minutes) each day, such as learning spellings or tables. Years 3 and 4 have 30 minutes each day, and Years 5 and 6 have 45 minutes each day. These times are for guidance. Class
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school reading books - they need to read to you or older siblings each night. In Reception children practice handwriting and sounds. In Year One they begin to take home simple homework activities such as writing sentences or practising number skills. In Year 2 this increases to a short piece of homework (20 minutes) each day, such as learning spellings or tables. Years 3 and 4 have 30 minutes each day, and Years 5 and 6 have 45 minutes each day. These times are for guidance. Class teachers will write to parents to outline the homework timetable. Children need a quiet place to work and they need to talk to you about their homework – help is encouraged! If your child has difficulty with the work set, please let the teacher know. The best way to help your child in school is to give them your love and encouragement, to show an interest in what they are doing and to ensure they come to school rested, healthy and ready to learn. Our aim is to work in partnership with you, keeping you informed through regular newsletters, letters from teachers about topics being taught and through discussion with you. In the Autumn and Spring terms we have parent teacher consultation meetings and in the summer you will receive a report summarising your child’s achievements. We have meetings to discuss specific arrangements such as starting school, transfer to secondary school etc.
Governors Our governors are representatives of the parish (foundation governors), parents, school staff and the local community. They meet each term and more frequently in smaller sub committees. They have responsibility for overseeing the organisation, curriculum and budget of the school. The day to day running of the school is entrusted to the Headteacher and staff.
Organisation of the School There are nine classes – Foundation Stage has two nursery classes (a.m. and p.m.), and one Reception class. Key Stage 1 has Years 1 and 2, and Key Stage 2 has Years 3 to 6.
Each class is mixed ability The curriculum is delivered through both subject teaching and through cross curricular topics such as health education. Each class has a class teacher with varying levels of teaching assistant support time based on the needs of the class. French, music and some PE are taught by subject specialists.
School – Parish Links There is a strong link between the school and the local parishes. Each term begins with a whole school Mass, and each class from Year 1 up has their own termly Mass to which parents are invited. Foundation Stage has termly prayer circles led by the parish priest and Foundation stage staff. The parish priest of Our Lady and St Peter is one of our school governors. Clergy from the other feeder parishes are invited to events such the Harvest assembly. we help the children Catholic Christian faith it means to be part of the faith
as Together to grow in their and help them to understand what community.
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Quotes from children
We went to visit the ADT college and built models. I liked building the carousel.
It’s a friendly school and people are always there to help
Our teachers respect our ideas and encourage us to be creative
Golden time is fun and it helps people to be sensible. It’s on Friday afternoons and sometimes it’s outside, it is so fun! - In Maths if you need extra help, the teacher puts everything aside to help you - The school offers good facilities for children with disabilities, we are treated all the same
Our Lady Queen of Heaven R.C. - Voluntary Aided Primary School Victoria Drive - London SW19 6AD Tel: 020 8788 7420 - email: info@ourqueenladyofheaven.wandsworth.sch.uk www.ourqueenladyofheaven.wandsworth.sch.uk