WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL!!!

Christchurch Junior School is a large, popular community school. It is maintained by the Local Authority and caters for over 500 children aged between 7 and 11 years. The children spend four years here. The classes are organised in year groups hosting four classes each and the school also has a Speech and Language Base which caters for 16 children. We welcome children from all walks of life, all faiths and all abilities. The children enjoy excellent facilities in purpose built premises, which were constructed in 2001. The school is placed in the educational community between Christchurch Infant School, which shares our site, and Twynham School with whom we work very closely to ensure each child's progress during their school career.

To ensure our children are happy and feel they belong to:

• the school by providing a stimulating atmosphere in which the children feel secure. To enable our children to reach their potential by knowing them as individuals, building on their strengths and helping them with their weaknesses.
• To nurture an atmosphere within which teaching staff, non teaching staff, parents and children can all work together by emphasising the importance of mutual respect, care, fairness and tolerance.
• To equip our children with the necessary skills and attitudes in all areas of the curriculum by providing an exciting and stimulating range of teaching approaches and enjoyable learning experiences.
• To help all our children be successful by stressing that success is not simply winning but is gained by making real progress, however small or limited.
• To develop healthy minds, bodies and spirits by providing a secure, supportive, loving, environment in which questions can be asked and explored.
• To appreciate and look after the environment by encouraging ownership and giving children responsibility for their everyday surroundings.
• To offer an enriched curriculum by providing a variety of extra-curricular activities, visits, musical, artistic and other creative activities.

At Christchurch Junior school we follow the National Curriculum for England and Wales. The five core subjects are English, Mathematics, Science, ICT and Religious Education.

Foundation subjects are Design Technology, Art, PE, History and Geography. In addition, from September 2007, we will be introducing Modern Foreign Languages, probably giving an introduction to four languages over the course of the four years.

Our grounds give extensive opportunities to enrich and extend the curriculum through orienteering, a sculpture garden, fitness areas and our swimming pool which we are currently raising funds to cover for all year use.

In addition to an all round good education, Christchurch Junior School has particular strengths in PE and Music. Our ICT facilities are also very good.

In addition to RE, which gives an introduction to many faiths, the children take part in a daily act of collective worship, which is broadly or wholly Christian in line with the law. Parents have a right to withdraw their children from both activities.

Personal, Social, Health Education and Citizenship, are taught as part of the curriculum and valued highly at Christchurch Junior School. The children learn to value themselves and each other and this contributes to the friendly and welcoming ethos in the school and the overall feeling of safety, security and collective responsibility. There is a clear progression of sex education which parents have the right to withdraw their children from.

The curriculum is further enriched through both day and residential educational visits in all year groups. We welcome a wide range of visitors and community members, who take part in special events and themed weeks such as Egyptian week and Book week. Once a week the children take part in Enrichment Hour where they choose from over twenty activities. The Year 5 children take part in a Wider Opportunity Project where they can take part in an orchestral class band, dance or special art projects or learn Japanese.

‘Ceejays' is our after school club which opened in 1998 and has run under the current supervisors since September 2001. The club is sited in the school grounds and is registered with OFSTED for 30 children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. There are currently 25-30 children attending on a regular daily basis.

‘Ceejays' is run by a dedicated and friendly team of nine staff members who pride themselves in making sure the children are safe, happy and content. Staff are qualified in all aspects of childcare including First Aid, Child Protection, Health and Safety and Special Needs.

There is a registration fee of £10 and for details of session fees and further information, please contact ‘Ceejays' direct (01202 409655) between 3.00pm – 5.30pm.

We are privileged to have a Speech and Language Base as part of our school. This Base caters for up to 16 children for whom their primary need is Speech and Language. It is served by two full time teachers, five teaching assistants, a Speech & Language Therapist and Speech Therapy Assistant. The children are integrated in the mainstream classes which means that often more children in school can benefit from the expertise in the Base.