The school day begins with registration at 8.30am before an assembly time. We have two 'whole school' teaching assemblies a week led by the Head/Deputy Head Teachers. These follow our R.E. scheme of work 'Here I Am' and the specified topics. In addition there is a 'Gospel Assembly' once a week when the children are taught about the following week's Sunday Gospel.
Teaching starts at 8:35am. We divide the morning into 3 teaching slots optimising the children's learning when they (and staff) are most alert. Lesson one takes place before break time which is at 10:00am. Lessons two and three cover the period up to lunchtime at 12:00pm.
THREE-LESSON MODEL
This three-lesson model also enables us to teach a wider variety of subjects during the morning, as extra teaching slots can be created for other core subjects (e.g. Religious Education) and foundation areas (e.g. Spanish). Consequently we feel that we use our teaching time efficiently and effectively to create a broad and balanced curriculum for our children to enjoy.
The afternoon session from 1:00pm to 2:30pm is divided into either one longer lesson or two shorter ones, with a focus on foundation subjects such as ICT and Design Technology, and Science may also be taught at this time.
ENRICHMENT HOUR
On Wednesday afternoons, the junior children have an 'Enrichment Hour', finishing at 3:30pm. During this time we widen our children's experiences and introduce them to new activities or enable them to pursue their interests in certain fields including sport, arts and citizenship. This involves local facilities and partnerships, as well as our own staff, to provide pupils with opportunities that ensure a broad curriculum experience and so develop a sense of lifelong learning.
ELECTIONS
Foundation Governors are appointed by the Bishop and therefor do not necessarily have a direct connection to the school prior to their appointment. Parents Governors, however, are exactly as the title implies; parents of the school.
When a vacancy arises, the Clerk to the Governors sends out an application form to every parent. Each candidate requires two nominees in support of their application, and is asked to provide a short synopsis of their suitability for the post. All parents then vote by ballot papers, with the candidate gaining most votes being duly elected.
MAKING DECISIONS
Newly-appointed governors are given as much information as possible to enable them to work effectively right from the start. After meeting with the Head Teacher and observing the school during a typical working day, the new governor is partnered with an experienced governor during their first few months of appointment. Critical to their success as a school governor is the realisation that the school exists solely for, and because of, the children. Every decision made, every action taken, has the best interest of your child at the centre of it.
Meetings take place regularly throughout the school year, with both sub-committee and full governor meetings occurring each half-term. Each meeting starts and ends with prayer, ensuring God remains at the centre of the Governors' work.
The length of service as a Governor is 4 years, during which time they play a very full and crucial part in the running of the school. At the start of each academic year they elect to sit on various sub-committees such as staffing, Buildings Premises, Curriculum and Finance. Their remit within each committee is to work on the basis of their own views and opinions.
Support is given to the Governing Body by various official bodies including WAG (Wiltshire Association of Governors) and training courses are periodically available enabling all Governors to broaden their skill-base and provide greater levels of expertise within the decision-making processes.
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