Useful Information
Home School Agreement
Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Primary School is founded on the Gospel teachings of Jesus Christ where each individual is valued and encouraged to excel in all that they do.
In order to fulfil these goals –
We the SCHOOL will always try to:
- Provide a curriculum that is broad, balanced and relevant both academically and socially.
- Provide a setting for living, sharing, experiencing and celebrating our Catholic Faith.
- Provide a loving, secure, caring and ordered environment.
- ncourage high standards of behaviour and discipline so that children show respect for others, become good citizens and value all members of society.
- Set regular homework appropriate to the child’s ability and year group.
- Expect children to attend school for 190 days a year unless illness prevents.
- Keep parents informed about their child’s progress at regular intervals and keep parents informed about relevant legislation.
We the PARENTS AND GUARDIANS will always try to:
- Take an active interest in our child’s education and participate fully in the life of the school.
- Respect and support what the school aims to do for my child.
- Ensure that my child arrives punctually and advise the school immediately if my child cannot attend school.
- Ensure that my child complies with the school dress code.
- Respect and support the Gospel values as taught by the school.
- Inform the school of changes in my/our circumstances as soon as possible, e.g. change of home address.
- Encourage my child to complete his/her homework tasks and attend parents’ evenings and all other information evenings.
- Take an active role in supporting the parish and school in preparing my child for the sacrament of Confirmation.
We the PUPILS will always try to:
- Help each other.
- Be kind and forgiving.
- Stretch our talents and learning.
- Respect each other.
- Treat others as we would like them to treat ourselves.
- Make all who come into our school welcome.
Extra Curricular
As well as the curriculum offered to individual children through class activities, we aim to provide a variety of extra-curricular activities (clubs, specialist instruction and sports). We feel such activities contribute an important part of a child’s educational development. Many of these activities are only made possible because of help from parents. If you are able to help, please let us know.In recent years the following activities have been offered: football, cricket, netball, computers, choir, athletics, dance, cross-stitch, art and craft, cooking.
We all value the importance of opportunities for children to perform to each other and to adults. Such activities help to build up self-esteem, confidence and social skills. A wide range of activities takes place each year, which involves children of all ages in performances, assemblies, concerts, demonstrations and special services. In recent years this has included Travelling Theatres, Science Workshops, Corby Arts Community Project, and Corby West Glebe project and basic First Aid with the St John Ambulance.
Education Visits
We consider it very important that children should visit local places of interest. We try to arrange at least one day visit for every child each year. The location usually has a particular connection with the current class topic, although some may be of an extra-curricular nature (a visit to a theatre, for example). Full details of all visits are sent to parents well in advance, requesting written consent. Contributions towards the cost of the trip are invited when appropriate. The Local Education Authority provides the school with regulations for financial organisational and insurance aspects of such visits. School staff are fully acquainted with these regulations.
The Authority has no general insurance cover for the direct benefit of pupils, but it is insured in respect of its legal liability to pupils arising from negligence or breach of statutory duty.
Sometimes it is more sensible to transport small groups of children in parents’ cars. When this takes place, we ask the drivers concerned to confirm that they hold suitable insurance cover and seat belts and booster seats for all children being transported.
In recent years children have visited Rockingham Castle, The Living Rainforest, The National Space Centre, Boughton House, The Toy Museum, World Challenge Activity Day, The Arc Theatre, Country Trust Farm, and West Lodge Farm.
In recent years, the Year 6 children have visited and stayed at Alton Castle, Woodberry Down, and Manor Adventure.
Sex Education
As children grow they become increasingly aware of themselves, their bodies and their relationships with others. As part of the home/school partnership we can help them to understand and deal with the changes and questions children pose at different stages in their development.
Pastoral Care and Discipline
The school is a community in which behaviour is based on mutual respect and consideration for others. The class teacher, who knows each child well, is responsible for the care of the children in that class. Particular problems are referred to the Head.The values, standards and attitudes of the school community are made clear to the children by example and discussion so that they are absorbed by them and made their own. Rules exist governing behaviour on the premises. If a child displays persistent anti-social behaviour, consultation is arranged between the teacher and parents so that an attempt can be made to correct the matter. County policy permits, in the rare cases of serious and persistent indiscipline, exclusion from the school. A detailed statement of this policy is available from school.
We believe in positive discipline. Children are encouraged to behave well and are rewarded for doing so. There are sanctions if children break the rules and they are made clear to all children.
Code of conduct for pupils
The one rule for all of us in school is "Everyone will act with courtesy and consideration to others at all times." This means that:
You always try to understand other people's point of view.
In class you make it as easy as possible for everyone to learn and for the teacher to teach. (This means arriving on time with everything you need for that lesson, beginning and ending that lesson in a courteous way, listening carefully, following instructions, helping each other when appropriate and being quiet and sensible at all times).
You move gently and quietly about the school (This means never running, barging or shouting, but being ready to help by opening doors, standing back to let people pass and helping to carry things). In crowded areas, please keep to the left.
You always speak politely to everyone (even if you feel bad tempered!) and use a low voice. (Shouting is always discourteous)
You are silent whenever you are required to be.
You keep the school clean and tidy so that it is a welcoming place of which we can all be proud. (This means putting all litter in bins, keeping walls and furniture clean and unmarked and taking great care of the displays, particularly of other people's work).
Out of school, walking locally or with a school group, you always remember that the school's reputation depends on the way you behave.
Charging and Remissions Policy
In accordance with DfEE legislation [Section 110 of Education Reform Act 1988] and County Guidelines, the Governing Body has adopted the following policies in respect of charges made to parents.
School Trips
Day Trips – A charge will be made to cover cost of transport and any entry charges. When possible, transport costs will be subsidised from Parent Association Funds. The charges made for trips will cover the cost of adult supervisors.
Residential Trips
Full price of all charges (Board/lodging – cost of activities) as charged by Residential Centre will be passed onto pupils. A charge will be made to cover the cost of transport although whenever possible the cost will be covered by the Parent Association Fund.
Music Tuition
The school will receive (45mins) tuition per week for violins from NCC Music Service – any shortfall in monies will be divided among pupil receiving music tuition.
£10 charge per term (£1 per lesson)
Activities outside school hours
Activities provided by 3rd Parties (School Clubs – Sports Coaching) will set their own charges. Pupils taking part in such activities will be liable to charges made by 3rd party.
Activities provided by school staff (Football, Dance etc) will make a charge of £1 per session – Monies raised by such activities will be paid into school funds and be available for all clubs.
Complaints Procedure
Under Section 23 of the Education Reform Act 1988, parents have the right to lodge a formal complaint about the curriculum or any other related matter. A copy of the complaints procedure is available from the Headteacher on request.
Medicines
In the case of chronic illness, such as diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, hay fever etc., only medicines prescribed by a registered medical practitioner and labelled by a chemist with the child’s name and the amount/frequency of the dosage, are to be allowed into school. Facilities are available for parents to administer medicines should they so desire.
Children suffering from infections requiring treatment by antibiotics should not normally be in school until the course of treatment is finished. However, should the doctor recommend that the child can return to school providing that medication is given, then again facilities will be made available for such use.
Inhalers should be retained by children for their personal use as and when required and they are advised to keep them available during activities such as PE, games, etc.
The teachers have been requested not to administer medicines nor to keep drugs in the classroom. Should you wish the Headteacher to administer the medicine, then we require your written permission to do so with the correct dosage clearly printed on the container. These will be stored in the school office.
