Welcome to St. Margaret`s Infant School

S t. Margaret’s is an Infant co-educational day school for children from 3 – 7 years.

The attached Nursery Unit, funded by the Local Educational Authority and under the direction of the Headteacher, caters for children between the ages of 3 and 4+ years dependent on the availability of places. In allocating places at the Nursery, the school follows the admission criteria for Nursery classes established by Medway Council.

Details can be found in the Schools’ Nursery Admission policy document. Nursery places are allocated on a part-time basis, either 5 mornings or 5 afternoons a week. Parents may state a preference when completing the necessary forms and although no guarantee can be given; every effort will be made to meet parents’ wishes.

Our overall aim is to: -

Provide the highest standard of education we can so that in reaching towards its optimum potential each child has a feeling of self worth.

We value:-

the individual

the whole child

a happy and stimulating environment

equality of opportunity

parental partnership in the child’s learning experiences

Our goals are to:-

develop our pupils for life so that they are secure and happy at each stage of their schooling

help them to become responsible for their own behaviour

show care and affection for all pupils

deliver a relevant curriculum in a stimulating and ordered environment

share with parents the role of educating their children

From September 2000, the term “foundation stage” is used to describe the first phase of your child’s education in the school, whether as a Nursery or playgroup pupil, or in the Reception year. The early learning goals set out what the majority of children are expected to achieve by the end of the foundation stage. These goals are organised as six areas of learning:

Personal, social and emotional development

Language and literacy

Mathematical development

Knowledge and understanding of the world

Physical development

Creative development

Curriculum planning in both the Nursery and Year R (Reception) will be based on these six areas. Children of this age learn best through first hand experience and through play. Activities will be planned on a whole class, small group and individual basis.

It is unlikely, at least initially, that your child will identify these activities as “Maths” or “Science”. Learning will build step by step, based on previous achievement and levels of understanding.

F rom September 2000, the revised National Curriculum is taught to all children in Years 1 and 2. This National Curriculum is divided into specific subjects for planning purposes, although some of the work covered by Infant children will continue to be covered through cross-curricular topics.

The compulsory subjects are: English, Mathematics, Science, Information Communication Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music, Design Technology and P.E. Citizenship and Personal, Social and Health Education also form part of the National Curriculum guidance. In addition, Religious Education together with a daily act of collective worship, remains a compulsory aspect of the curriculum. Religious Education will be taught in accordance with the Medway Syllabus.

Parents have a right to seek to have their child excluded from R.E. lessons and acts of collective worship where a conflict of religious views exist. Please contact the Headteacher so that suitable alternative provision can be made.

Children are encouraged to wear school colours - royal blue and grey. (School sweatshirts and other uniform items are available for purchase through the school office). Parents are asked to ensure that suitable garments are worn to school. Jeans are not permitted. On safety grounds we would ask that all footwear worn to school is both comfortable and appropriate. For example, “jellies” and shoes with heels can easily cause tumbles during playtime activities.

All pupils will need plimsolls (not trainers, please) for Physical education lessons. These are essential for outdoor games. Many of the younger children are perfectly happy to wear underwear for indoor P.E., but where a parent does not feel comfortable with this, we would ask that you provide shorts and a T-shirt. These items will obviously be required for outdoor games.

Jewellery (including watches) must not be worn to school. Only small earring studs may be worn. These must be removed and left at home on days when P.E. is timetabled. The LEA ruling is that no child will be allowed to take part in P.E. lessons if wearing earrings. Parents will be asked to sign a disclaimer accepting full responsibility for any injury resulting from their child wearing earrings at any other time.

Any parent who has difficulty with this request on grounds of religious observance is asked to discuss their concerns with the Headteacher in the first instance. Thank you.