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WELCOME TO ST. COLUMBAS

This prospectus provides information about our school, its aims, curriculum and activities. We hope you will find it useful if you have children with us already or if you are thinking of sending your child to St. Columba's. If you have any further queries, do please come and ask. The information is correct at the time of printing but we are always looking for ways to improve, and so changes may occur during the year.

Mrs K Baker Headteacher

Companions on the Journey MISSION STATEMENT The Catholic Faith influences our whole curriculum and the way we live and celebrate our learning. We are companions on the journey developing international citizens by encouraging children to enjoy and achieve through happy, healthy and positive experiences.

OUR SCHOOL St. Columba's is a Catholic Primary School including a Nursery. Pre-school visits for the Nursery and Reception children are arranged prior to their starting. All parents considering sending their children should please phone for an appointment to speak to the Headteacher and to view the school. Admission forms sent out by the authority for Reception must be filled in and submitted by the deadline. NB. A place in the nursery does not guarantee a place in the main school. ADMISSION POLICY The responsibility for admissions rests with the Governors of St. Columbas. The size of the admission group is 30 in reception and we have a 26 place nursery with some part time and some full time children.

SCHOOL TIMES School opens at 8.45 Children enter the school from the playground . In the unusual event that your child is late, school can only be entered via the Office Main Door. There is a Mid Morning Break and the KS1 children have an afternoon break. Lunch is served in the hall and all meals are freshly cooked in line with nutritional guidelines. Most of our children take the school meal. Those who prefer packed lunch, Year 1 upwards only, also eat in the hall. School finishes at 3.15pm At home time children leave the school by the nearest door to their classroom onto the playground. KS1 children wait with their teacher until their parent/carer claims them in person. KS2 children are allowed to wait on the playground. If their parent is late they know to come back into school and wait at the front office. Some of the older children who live in the vicinity of the school are allowed to walk home provided the school has been informed. If there is a change in the person picking up your child you must inform the school
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What is the Learner Profile? The Learner Profile provides a list of the qualities which we want to develop in our children. Inquirer Critical Thinker Communicator Risk-Taker Knowledgeable Principled Caring Open-Minded Reflective What does this mean for your child? Children work on inquiry units. They study one unit per half term except in Nursery and Reception where they study four units a year. The children study history, geography, science etc. within a unit covering a range of skills and knowledge from several areas. The children find inquiry units more interesting, are more engaged, have more independence and enjoy learning as it allows them to achieve. Many children become so interested in their unit that they continue their research at home giving parents the opportunity to become more involved in their childs learning.

SCHOOL UNIFORM Bags and coats with the school logo may be bought from the school office. The school has a uniform, which every child is happy to wear, and is as follows: Grey school trousers or grey skirt/pinafore White polo shirt with or without logo (logo polo shirts available from school) Navy sweatshirt with school logo (available form school) School shoes not trainers No ear rings Summer

Short grey school trousers may be worn Lemon and white gingham dress

P.E.

It is extremely important that children have P.E. kit ( year 1 onwards) in school at all times. The P.E. kit is : Navy shorts (available from school) Light Blue T-shirt with logo (available from school) Slip on pumps ( available from school) Short socks for children who may wear tights in the winter Kit bag available from school

The kit should be kept in a separate bag hanging on the coat peg or in a designated box in class during term time. Please ensure that all uniform and P.E. kit is clearly labelled with your child's name. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION We teach pupils about the Catholic Religion and the influence that the practice of this religion has on our lives. We work closely with our Parish priest and the Parish community some of whom are also governors. We go to Church regularly and say prayers in class and in assembly. RE teaching is not only evident in religion lessons and in prayer and liturgy, but it underpins all we teach, across the whole curriculum. More importantly, we believe it is also evident each day in the classroom in the attitudes, responsibilities and skills we try to develop in our children,
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in the example of the staff and in the way we treat all with whom we come into contact. SEX EDUCATION We teach sex education in the belief that: sex education should be taught in the context of marriage and family life; children should be taught to have respect for their own bodies; children should learn about their responsibilities to others. it is important to build positive loving relationships with others, involving trust and respect; THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM All teachers teach in line with national requirements National Tests are undertaken near the end of Years 2 and 6. Children in years 3, 4 and 5 take interim national tests in May, to aid school target setting and tracking progress. Policies and guidelines for all subjects may be viewed on request. There are two Parents' Evenings each school year, when parents can meet the teachers of their child. A written report will be distributed to parents in the Summer Term. INCLUSION - EVERY CHILD MATTERS All special educational needs are catered for in class. Our teachers take our schemes of work and modify activities according to ability and need. Class teachers keep records of their children's progress. Special needs Where children are on School Action or above, parents are invited each term to discuss their child's Individual Education Plan. Modifications to the school building in recent years have made our facilities more suitable and more welcoming for children with mobility difficulties and more improvements are planned. We also offer Nurture Group for very young children who are finding it difficult to fit into the conventional classroom for a number of reasons. As part of this group they are helped and supported partly in class and partly in the Starship where their needs can be met so that they can return to class full time. We also have a Pastoral Support Mentor.

HOMEWORK Right from the start we ask that parents involve their children in activities at home such as weighing, measuring and counting out of objects; that they talk to them about clock times, journey distances, visits, shopping, TV programmes and picture books; that they sing, talk and story-tell with them as much as possible and that they play games with them - sound games, ball games, card games, dominoes, etc. - at every opportunity. Throughout the school, we ask for more specific homework on a regular basis. In Nursery, tasks are often set and books are sent home for sharing and discussion; in Reception Class, reading books and 'words' are sent home for sharing. Each class has a homework timetable appropriate to their age and ability. READING AT HOME EVERY DAY IS VERY IMPORTANT Your child will be given a reading record book for you to sign every day when you have heard them read. Studies show that this kind of parental help, particularly in the early stages, is vital for the development of reading. VISITS In order to enhance the childrens experiences, visits to places of interest are planned for each class. You will be asked to sign a parental consent form at the beginning of the year to allow your child to go out of school. All visits are subsidised by the school and donations received from the PTA and parent/carers. OTHER ASPECTS OF SCHOOL LIFE Many areas of study, not referred to as separate subjects, are nevertheless built into the curriculum. Areas such as health education, environmental education and international links often form the content of subjects already listed. The school has a well stocked library used by everyone. A number of clubs are available:There are many activities, which go beyond the classroom. Some of these are listed here: Book Club Children are encouraged to buy their own books through the School Book Club and through school Book Fairs.
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Sport

The school has teams for football, netball, athletics and cross-country. There is a school choir, which the children are encouraged to join. The children take part in the Bolton Schools' Music Festival or Singing For Pleasure 'Sing-In' days. BEHAVIOUR

Music

We create a positive atmosphere based on a sense of community and shared values and base discipline upon good relationships and mutual respect. We recognize and praise good behaviour. High standards are expected at all times in school, on the playground and on the way to and from school. To discourage inappropriate behaviour, a staged warning system is used throughout the school. Parents are invited into school to discuss their child's behaviour to work with the school in solving any problems. THE PTA All parent/carers are automatically a member of the PTA. We meet regularly and as well as socialising, we have raised extra funds for the school. HEALTH AND SAFETY JEWELLERY Children should not wear jewellery including earrings as it is not allowed during swimming or PE lessons and can be lost easily. GLASSES Glasses are very important. If your child needs to wear glasses they should bring then to school every day. At play time if they do not need them they should be placed in a safe place such as your childs tray, or given to the teacher or staff on duty to mind, if they do not need them all the time. SHOES Sensible school shoes for both boys and girls. Girls should not have high heels on their shoes as these can be dangerous and they restrict play.

MEDICINE IN SCHOOL Children should NOT bring medicines to school including cough sweets, creams, nasal sprays etc. Parents must fill in a form for newly admitted children, giving details of their child's known allergies or any special dietary requirements. HEALTHY SCHOOLS We are an accredited Healthy School. Children should to bring a bottle to hold water to have on their desk in the classroom. Sweets are not allowed in school at any time including chocolate bars for lunch but a chocolate biscuit is acceptable. SCHOOL MEALS Most children and staff take the meals cooked in the school kitchen because they are so good. Some children from Year 1 upwards bring a packed lunch. Because of concern for safety, hot liquids or hot food, glass containers or metal cans must not be included in packed lunches. Water is freely available at all times. A senior member of staff supervises lunch in the hall with the SMAs. The children are taught to use their knife and fork and to exercise good table manners. The school meals provide excellent value and variety. Free school meals are available. (See the Office staff) All school meals payments must be made in advance. If you wish to change from packed lunch to school meal, please give at least two weeks notice as the food is ordered in advance. PLAYTIME Playtime is an important part of school life. Children have enjoyable and safe playtimes. Crisps are not allowed in the interests of healthy eating. A healthy snack may be purchased from the kitchen by the junior children at around 1 per week payable in advance, or they can bring their own. The infants are given a piece of fruit. Play equipment is provided at lunchtime. Trained lunchtime supervisors who work hard to run a safe and happy playtime supervise the children. Children who are unable to play safely are kept off the play ground and may be sent home for their lunch. CHILD PROTECTION The designated person is the Headteacher. She is obliged by law to report any concerns about a childs physical or emotional well being to social services.

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Parents should be aware, therefore, that the school will take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of its pupils. In cases where the school has reason to be concerned that a child may be subject to illtreatment, neglect or other forms of abuse, staff have no alternative but to follow borough Child Protection procedures and inform Social Services of their concern. Parents will not always be fully informed of concerns unless staff are certain that the safety of the child will not be prejudiced by their doing so. SECURITY All outside doors have one-way locks so that access is available through the Main Entrance only. Visitors are requested to sign in on arrival and to wear a badge during their time in school. Parents are asked see the Office staff if they call during the day to bring a child in late or collect a child for an appointment. Parents must ring the office if their child is going to be absent. Holidays in term time will not be authorised and should be avoided. FINALLY We provide a lively, caring and happy learning environment in all that we do at St. Columba's. If problems arise which may affect a child's education, we ask parents to discuss them with the class teacher at an early stage. Likewise, we may sometimes wish to talk over particular problems with parents. Parents are asked not to approach the class teachers before school as this is an important preparation time for them. After school is better. The Headteacher is always available to discuss any urgent concerns. However, for non-urgent matters please arrange an appointment via the school office. Please see the office staff about absence and appointments, not the teacher. If your child is off for any reason please inform the school.

Every Friday there is a Family Assembly at 2.45pm where children are praised to the delight of their friends and families, achievements are recognised, and we sing and pray together. All parents and friends are invited so come early to secure a seat! Looking forward to seeing you soon, Mrs Baker and all the staff staff
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