St Joseph's Catholic Primary School: About Us

The School Aims

Our overriding aim is to provide an environment, which enables the individual child to develop lively and enquiring minds to reach their full potential; academically, socially, physically, emotionally and always encourage everyone to try their best.
We believe that all children should gain enjoyment and satisfaction from their achievements within the learning process, and this will encourage them to regard education as a life-long development.

Discipline

The school expects all children to behave in a responsible and acceptable manner and hopes for parental co-operation and support in such matters. The school prefers to emphasise the positive values and the child will be rewarded accordingly, from a word of praise from the class teacher, to the awarding of House Points, to count towards weekly and termly competitions.
The school Behaviour Policy is available in the office should a parent wish to read it or to have a copy.

Pastoral Care

The headteacher of the school and all the appropriate staff are responsible for the well being of the children in the school. In the normal course of the day the main responsibility falls on the individual class teacher.
At breaktime there is always a member of staff on duty on the playground to oversee the children at play.
At lunchtime one of the teachers is always on duty and the welfare assistants look after the children's immediate needs.

Parents who have any concerns in this area are asked to contact the headteacher and speak either to him or to the teacher in charge of their child’s class.

School Uniform

We are proud of our school uniform. Sweatshirt, polo shirts and jackets embroidered with our logo are available from school. Blue gingham dresses can be worn in the summer months.
Each child also needs a drawstring bag containing blue shorts, plain white tee shirt and pumps for P.E.
Please clearly label all items of clothing with your child’s name.

A detailed uniform list can be obtained from the school office.

Parents’ Evenings

We usually hold three parents’ evenings each year. Our first in October is to discuss with the parents how their child is settling into the new school year.

In the Spring Term there is a mid-year parents’ night for all pupils. At this you will receive a brief assessment of your child’s progress in the first half of the year and get an opportunity to look at the work they have been doing.

End of year reports come out in July and following this there is an opportunity to discuss your child’s report with the class teacher if you should so wish.

What if you’re worried?

If you have any worries or concerns about your child’s work or a pastoral issue, please come and see us. Problems only get worse if they are left, don’t wait until parents’ evening. We can often help and we are always pleased to see you.

It is better if you phone the school first and make an appointment but this is not essential. If we are worried about your child we will get in touch and arrange an appointment.

Child Protection

All our children are very precious to us and we aim to work closely with parents to ensure all our children remain happy and safe. In matters of Child Protection we are obliged to adhere to the Children’s Act. Mr Braithwaite is the named person for Child Protection.

Because of the day to day contact with children, schools are particularly well placed to observe outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour or failure to develop. Parents should be aware therefore, that where it appears to a member of the school staff that a child may have been abused, the school is required as part, as part of the Child Protection Procedures, to report their concerns to the Social Services department immediately.