Welcome from the Headmistress |
Dear Parent
Here at Our Lady’s we value each pupil as an individual, just as no two faces are the same, we appreciate that each child has different strengths. Our caring, happy school encourages all students to develop at their own pace and in their own way.
Academically, the results attained over the last few years have been excellent. The teachers strive to encourage the young people to give their full effort at all times. Pupils move on from Our Lady’s to a diverse selection of secondary schools. We are fortunate that many are lucky enough to gain scholarships and several have been awarded places in grammar schools of their choice. But above and beyond this academic success, we nurture and appreciate each member of our extended family.
Strong Christian values are instilled in the children right from their first steps through the door. A respect for others; a kindly attitude; a good standard of behaviour but more importantly a respect for themselves are among the messages valued so highly here in our school.
Pupils from Nursery through to Year 6 are offered a varied timetable: music lessons, swimming, pottery, French and of course sport are all part of daily life. A healthy meal is provided from our own kitchens by our catering manager and her staff. Our Lady’s offer an extensive range of after school enrichment activities and has a thriving holiday club along with early bird drop off and late stay if required.
Please take your time to browse our web site - but for a true picture of our school, a personal visit is highly recommended. Only then will you truly appreciate how much we value your child and your family’s commitment to making one of the most important choices for your son or daughter.
I sincerely hope that I will meet you in the near future and show you our delightful school.
Yours truly,
Helene Robinson Headmistress
MISSION STATEMENT
"Our Lady’s is a family School which exists to provide a traditional Catholic education, offering maximum opportunity to the individual child within a caring environment, to develop self confidence whilst pursuing academic excellence." | |
About the School |
Our Lady’s Preparatory School in Crowthorne was established in 1962 to provide a Catholic education for boys and girls.
Children of all denominations are welcome and make a significant contribution to the success of the School. The aim of the School is to develop the character and potential of each child, academically and morally, within a caring atmosphere.
Christian doctrine, good manners, self-discipline and sound moral values form the principal ethos of the School. Pupils are accepted from the age of 3 months to 11 years.
| |
Curriculum |
We have an academic curriculum that concentrates on the subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, taught in a traditional manner and tailored to the needs of each child.
Class numbers are limited to the low twenties in order that the class teachers may give individual attention to pupils. Nursery and Reception children follow the Early Learning Goals recommended by the Government. (‘Aims for the Foundation Stage’ is available as a separate document from the school office). From the outset, children are introduced to the enjoyment of learning through various forms of activity which include numeracy, literacy, science, music and movement, singing, cooking, art and craft plus learning through structured play.
Children in Infant I and Infant II (Years 1 and 2) devote their mornings to literacy and numeracy. The afternoons focus on other areas such as Science, Religion, topic Work, P.E., Music, Art and Craft, Pottery and Computing. Specialist teaching is given in Music, P.E. and Pottery.
By the time the children leave the Infant Department, they should have good, solid foundations ready to face the challenges of the Junior School (Preps) into which they will move automatically.
Prep children (Years 3 to 6) follow a broad and balanced curriculum, with a structured subject based timetable in line with the National Curriculum.
Subjects taught include Numeracy, Literacy, Science, Art and Design, History, Geography, R.E., Computing, Reasoning, P.E., Pottery, Music, Drama and French. French is taught from Nursery to Prep IV (Year 6).
There are tests in all subjects in November and May for pupils in the Junior School.
Assessments are made each term for pupils in the Nursery and Reception Department and are very comprehensive. Reports are issued annually to children in Infant I and II. The progress of Junior pupils is recorded on report cards which are forwarded to parents at the end of each term. SATs are taken in Infant II (year 2) and Prep IV (year 6).
This traditional and structured approach ensures that pupils perform well in entrance exams and scholarship examinations.
The school aims to instil a thirst for learning, with staff teaching in a lively and enthusiastic style.
2006 Key Stage 2 Results for Our Lady's compared to national results
The table below shows the percentage of pupils at the end of key stage 2 achieving each level in the school in 2006
|
below 3 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
pupils not entered |
pupils absent |
ENGLISH |
0 |
0 |
17 |
83 |
0 |
0 |
READING |
0 |
0 |
17 |
83 |
0 |
0 |
WRITING |
0 |
0 |
29 |
71 |
0 |
0 |
MATHEMATICS |
0 |
0 |
29 |
71 |
0 |
0 |
SCIENCE |
0 |
0 |
8 |
92 |
0 |
0 |
This table shows the percentage of year 6 pupils nationally, achieving each level in 2006
|
below 3 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
pupils not entered |
pupils absent |
ENGLISH |
6 |
14 |
47 |
32 |
0 |
0 |
READING |
7 |
9 |
36 |
47 |
0 |
0 |
WRITING |
6 |
27 |
49 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
MATHEMATICS |
6 |
17 |
43 |
33 |
0 |
0 |
SCIENCE |
3 |
10 |
41 |
46 |
0 |
0 | |
|
Early Years |
We are delighted with the opening of our New Day Nursery from 3 months to 3 years. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
Children are accepted into the Day Nursery from the age of 3 months. The Baby Unit is a year-round facility.
Children enter the Nursery Department at the age of 3 years. Nursery classes run from 9:00am to 3:15pm with an optional extended day from 8:00am to 6:00pm. The Nursery can be booked either as a year-round facility or on a term-time basis.
The aim of the Nursery is to lay the foundation for the development of a child’s potential. Emphasis is placed on acquiring social, linguistic and mathematical skills within a gentle, caring environment.
Reception children attend school on a termly basis.
The Early Years Department benefits from being an integral part of the whole school in that it has access to the facilities of the main school, such as a large school hall, gym equipment, dedicated play equipment, and the teaching resources and skills that the main school can offer.
Children attend whole school assemblies each week, and have their chance to perform several times a year. They also perform a Christmas nativity play.
More details of the aims of the Foundation Stage are available in a separate document from the school office.
| |
PTA |
Our Lady’s is very fortunate to have an active and very successful PTA. Committee meetings are friendly and informal, welcoming any parents or staff to join us.
PTA Class Representatives
Baby Unit and Nursery |
Mrs C Jopling |
Reception |
Mrs R Chamberlain |
Infants |
Mrs C McCubbin |
Prep I |
Mrs M Webb |
Prep II |
Mrs E Ainslie |
Prep III |
Mrs R O'Brien |
Prep IV |
Mrs S Kirkpatrick |
We usually have a major fundraising event each half term, e.g. Summer Fayre, Christmas Fayre, Ladies Shopping Evening, Quiz Nights, and Children’s Disco etc. Other fundraising activities include cake sales, second hand uniform sales, production of the School calendar and recipe book and many more as well as providing support and refreshments at Sports Days, Prize Giving, Concerts and Open Days. Our fundraising efforts have been put towards various projects within the School. The most recent project has involved upgrading the School’s ICT facilities, including high speed, flat screen computers. Our efforts are now focussed on investing in a bouncy castle for hire purposes and erecting a large canopied area outside, to permit the children to play outside during inclement weather and provide them with shade during the hot summer months
Parents are welcome to talk with their PTA rep. in the play ground, or contact them through the details circulated to parents in each class. Alternatively parents can ask for their PTA rep. to contact them via a note in their child’s school bag or email / phone call to the school office.
The PTA would not be so successful without the support of the parents. We are very lucky to have very supportive parents – some with their time, some with their generosity and some with both!
Mrs R Chamberlain - PTA Chairman
| |
|