Headteacher`s Welcome

Hello and welcome! I am so proud to be Headteacher of St. Benedict’s.

We are a small Catholic Primary School in Lordswood. Our school is also a Mass Centre as we are part of St. Simon Stock Parish, Walderslade. Mass is celebrated here every Sunday at 9 a.m. Our Parish Priest is Fr. Stephen Wymer.

Everyone who comes to our school is special. We have happy, polite and hardworking children. Our staff are excellent and so dedicated to each and every pupil. Our parents are very supportive and we have a thriving Parents Association (SBA). Some parents and grandparents also help in class. Visitors to St. Benedict’s always comment on the warm welcome and lovely atmosphere. We have a school Council with representatives from each class and a wonderful group of Governors.

Perhaps you will visit us or come to an assembly, concert or sports event. Whenever you come, you will receive a warm welcome.

Mrs. B. Salamonczyk      B. Ed NPQH

At St. Benedict’s we work in partnership with the parents and parish to develop our children’s awareness and appreciation of the Catholic faith.  We create a Christian environment where adults working with the children promote a deepening of the child’s spirituality and uniqueness in the family of God.  We seek to develop children to their full potential.

Religious education will be the foundation of the entire education process at St. Benedict’s school.  We aim to instil in each child a positive attitude to learning and a desire to face challenge with enjoyment.  We will nurture an attitude of respect towards all people and celebrate the uniqueness of the individual.  We aim to provide all children with a structured, progressive and stimulating programme of study that will foster independent learning.  A broad and balanced curriculum will provide the children with opportunities to develop skills for the 21st century.  Pupils will have time to appreciate the awe and wonder in God’s world.  All adults working with the children will be sensitive to the needs of the individual offering challenge or support where appropriate.  We will foster high expectations in work and behaviour.

St. Benedict’s provides a Catholic education for the children of the parish of St. Simon Stock and others whose parents wish a Catholic education for their child.  By making an application to St. Benedict’s School, parents recognise and accept the Catholic ethos of the school.

If the number of applications exceeds the planned admission limit then places will be allocated in the following priority order.

For each category, the presence of a brother or sister at the school at the time of application will increase priority within that category.

ALL CHILDREN WILL NEED TO PROVIDE THE SCHOOL WITH A BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE

The National Curriculum

Each child is entitled to the curriculum as laid down by the National Curriculum. This provides a framework which will ensure the development of your child as they move through the school.

As well as Religious Education, pupils follow courses of study in the National Curriculum subjects. These include the CORE SUBJECTS: English, Mathematics Science, ICT. and 6 other, Design Technology, History, Geography, Music, Art, Physical Education. French is taught in Y6.

Other areas covered include, Citizenship, Personal and Social Education and Health Education. School policy documents are available if parents wish to see them. Please talk to the Headteacher if you are interested.

We feel it is important to maintain a flexible response to children’s needs and interests, so we do not stick rigidly to a subject timetable, but we do have in mind the proportion of time allocated to each subject.

The National Curriculum provides ATTAINMENT TARGETS which will provide standards against which children’s progress will be assessed. Children at the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2) are assessed every year in accordance with the requirements of the National Curriculum. Results of these are published and individual children’s results are given to parents in their reports at the end of each academic year. Children at the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 6) will also be assessed during the summer term and results will be issued to parents in the same way as Key Stage 1.

Please note that the requirements of the National Curriculum do not apply to children who are not of statutory school age. The emphasis in the teaching of reception age children will be on preparing these children for their later years in school.

YR is part of the Foundation Stage Early Learning Goals to assess children’s learning. Children become part of the National Curriculum from Y1.

The Curriculum

The Governors statement of curriculum aims.

The Governors aim to ensure that:

• Each pupil will have a broad and balanced curriculum relevant to his or her particular needs.

• The curriculum will promote development in all the main areas of learning and experience

• Each pupil develops as a individual as a member of society and as a future adult member of the community with a range of personal and social opportunities and responsibilities

• Through timely praise, encouragement and enjoyment, all children are well motivated.

St. Benedict’s School is proud of its children and of their appearance.  We feel that a uniform helps in this, and in the sense of unity that it brings.  Within reasonable limitations and common sense, school uniform is compulsory.

The uniform varies between Summer and Winter months.  As you would expect, winter uniform is generally worn in the autumn and spring terms, the summer uniform in the summer term until 1st October, all subject to the vagaries of British climate of course.

All items of clothing should be clearly marked with the child’s name

No jewellery is allowed for health and safety reasons.  Can we please remind you that all hair that can be tied back, should be tied back.  Gel should not be worn. Boys’ hair should be kept tidy too, not longer than the shirt collar.  No hair dye, no indentions.

If the weather is very hot in the summer, pupils will be given permission to take off their ties but they must be put back on again as they leave school

Only Y6 pupils are allowed school bags.  Each child should have a book bag. These can be bought from the office.