Lamberhurst St. Mary's School is a co-educational Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) School for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years.

We pride ourselves in being part of the community and in providing a caring family environment for the children. We place a great importance in developing our pupils' personalities in order that they may move on to secondary education and ultimately in to the wider world with the confidence to succeed.

We believe in providing every pupil with the opportunity to develop academically, socially, physically, spiritually and emotionally. The size of the school enables us to nurture their development in these areas and to help them build up relationships of care and trust with one another. Our aim is to give each child and equal opportunity to fulfil his or her potential and to stimulate enquiring minds. These school aims can be found on the main menu to the left.

The local church of Saint Mary's has close associations with the school. We attend the church for our end of term services, as well as Harvest. The vicar is one of our governors. Assemblies are  conducted by the vicar once every two weeks.

	To educate and care for our pupils.
	To provide a happy and secure  environment where children can achieve their potential.
	To encourage a spiritual and moral awareness of the world in which we live.
	To promote learning and the acquisition of knowledge within a broad and balanced curriculum and ensure that skills are taught effectively in a stimulating environment.
	To encourage all children to develop confidence, self-esteem, responsibility and independence within a caring atmosphere, where emotional well being and sound relationships are fostered.
	To establish respect for people and authority.
	To cater for the needs of the individual whilst helping children to achieve a sense of belonging to the school community.
	To foster and encourage links with the church and our local community.
	To promote good relationships and work with parents, governors and staff.
	To ensure that year 6 children are well prepared for entry to secondary school education and will be good ambassadors for the school.

As in other state schools, children of statutory school age at Lamberhurst St. Mary's Primary School follow the National Curriculum in Maths, English, Science, Information Communication technology, Art, Music, P.E. History, Geography and Design Technology. The school curriculum also includes Religious Education, Personal and Social, Health and Environmental and Multi-cultural education. Pupils in the reception year  follow the Foundation Stage curriculum.

The Curriculum for Religious Education follows the Kent Agreed Syllabus.

The work of each class is planned around a series of topics usually lasting a term. The topics are organised so that all areas of the Curriculum are included over a two year cycle. Children also work on specific subject areas with ongoing activities in Maths and English - speaking, listening, reading and writing. Pupils are encouraged to work both independently and collaboratively in a group, according to the task in which they are involved.

Children progress through the National curriculum levels at their own rate and progress is carefully checked each term. We use standardised tests to monitor progress in Key Stage 2. At the ages of 7 and 11 progress is monitored by the nationally organised assessments (Standard Assessment Tasks). The Foundation Stage Profile is completed at the end of the Reception year.

Before your child is due to start at the school please visit us and place his or her name on the list for future entrants. It is our policy to admit all of the children in the Autumn term of the academic year in which they reach the age of five years. However, we do believe it to be important for the younger children (whose birthdays fall after December 31st) to attend school on a part-time basis initially (mornings only), as school demands a great deal of the young child.
Starting school for the first time brings with it new routines, social situations and experiences which can be very exhausting. The younger children continue part-time until the week before Christmas. This week is usually full of exciting events. We offer them the opportunity to stay for a full day on certain days, with full attendance commencing in the Spring Term. Initially the younger entrants are collected at 12:00pm prior to lunch but after half term they stay to eat their lunch, followed by play, with collection at 1:15pm.
All new entrants are invited to attend two story sessions with their new teacher in the term before they start. There is also a parents afternoon to meet the reception teacher and to talk about the routines of starting school.
Pupils are admitted to the School in accordance with the County Admissions Policy. Form PR3 parts A & B which are available from the school secretary  should be completed and returned to the school by the date indicated on the form (For children of 4 years of age, please use form PR1,available from the school office only).
Places will be allocated according to the published criteria in priority order:-
	Resident within the Parish of Lamberhurst.
	Current family association (an elder brother or sister at the school at the time of entry).
	Parental Wishes.
	Children with medical, compassionate or educational need, agreed after consultation with the governing body.
The entry in September will be staggered to enable each child to be given maximum attention as they start school on that very important "first day". It enables them to become familiar with their immediate surroundings in a relaxed and secure environment with additional help for individuals who require more support.
It is a great help, particularly to a child's confidence, if, by the time they start school, they are able to :-
	Go to the toilet without assistance.
	Use a knife, fork and spoon.
	Dress and undress themselves.
	Understand and obey simple verbal instructions.