St John Rigby R.C. Lower School

We aim to provide a high quality, broad and balanced curriculum founded in our Catholic faith and working in partnership with the Diocese of Northampton and Bedfordshire County Council.

We believe that it is essential to work in close partnership with parents if the child is to fully benefit from the learning environment. You can do this in many ways, ensuring regular attendance, supporting effort, homework and good behaviour. Above all sharing with us high expectations of your child's achievements.

We enjoy excellent relationships with the Parishes that we serve and three local priests are part of our Chaplaincy team. We support Sacramental preparation in Year. Liturgy and prayer are an important part of our shared experience.

We expect high standards of achievement and behaviour but we also want children to enjoy school and get on well with adults and children around them in a safe, challenging and happy environment.

Do get in touch if you need further information or want to visit the school.

The main school was opened in January 1974 and Bishop Leo opened the Early Years unit in 1992. Currently we have 390 children and an extra classroom is being built this year. This classroom has been designed to complement the existing double class bases in Years 1 and 2. There is a double class base for Early years with its own playground and a triple base for year 4.

There are 2 separate playgrounds for infants and juniors and a playing field for use in the dry months.

We have a swimming pool which we use in the summer term and the costs of this amenity are defrayed by parental contributions. We use Robinson Pool in year 3 to enable children to work towards the N.C. certificate.

There is a well resourced Library area supplemented with materials f rom Schools Library service. We have just had 4 networked PCs and an Internet connection installed. We have some exciting new software and a digital camera which is very useful for recording and developing areas of study and practical work.

Most of our teaching is class based with work set to challenge and support all levels of ability. Children are encouraged to develop the skills to work independently and will sometimes work in groups. Planning and assessment is done in year groups and Key stage groups. We have a number of classroom assistants who work with teachers to support children in their work.

Homework is set from year 1 and we ask that you support your child with this aspect in a positive way developing confidence and good work habits.

Scenes from around the school

A small workgroup

Science Day

One of the School Playgrounds

Early Years

Children learning through play in one of the reception classes.

The unit has 3 teachers, 1 nursery nurse and a class assistant as well as other helpers.

All children start school in the September after their 4^th birthday.

Children are given the opportunity to visit their class in the summer term before starting school.

When your child first comes to the school, home visits are held in the first 2 weeks of the Autumn Term.

After this the children are admitted in small groups. This gives you and your child time to get used to going to school.

Full time places are allocated by age, the eldest starting first, until all children are in full time education by February.

Prior to that, the younger children are part time, morning 9-11.30 am. or afternoon 12.45-3.15 pm.

• To provide a quality education suited to each child's needs, enabling the child to communicate, be creative, solve problems and think.
• To enlarge the child's religious experience and to introduce the principal mysteries of the Catholic faith.
• To create a caring child centred atmosphere so that children are happy and confident in their surroundings and able to achieve the highest standards of attainment of which they are capable.
• To help the child to develop a moral framework, good manners, respect and consideration for others.
• To develop a love of learning and a high standard of skills.
• To offer a broad and balanced curriculum with a variety of learning strategies, developing knowledge, understanding, skills and application.
• To promote self awareness through PE movement and drama. To develop spirituality through RE, art and music and an understanding of our varied culture through a study of the environment and history.
• Through science and the study of our world and its creation we aim to encourage a sense of awe and wonder for its preservation.
• In Liturgy and prayer we provide opportunities for developing relationship with God through sharing our needs, thanks and praise.
• To develop all aspects of the child and enabling growth into a confident, responsible member of society.