At the Lady St Mary First School we believe we are all learners and this is a continuous process.
We aim:
· to build a school community based on Christian principles;
· to create an environment for learning that is healthy, happy, safe, secure and aesthetically pleasing;
· to provide equal opportunities for all regardless of gender or race;
· to encourage mutual trust and respect and to foster independence and self-discipline;
· to work towards building a school community of shared values and care through example and consistency;
· to promote a curriculum that offers appropriate challenges, that works towards raising achievement, that encourages imagination and creativity and provides opportunities for building self-esteem;
· to celebrate personal effort and achievement;
· to foster clear communications and co-operation;
· to help each member of the school community to work towards fulfilling their potential, intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually;
· to encourage a balance between rights and responsibilities and to work in partnership with Parents, Governors and the wider community for the benefit of the children.
The school has a list of pupils due for future admission. It is advisable to register your child as early as possible.
Children are admitted in the September of the year they are five.
During the first term the children attend mornings only.
The school can accept up to forty-eight children into the Reception Year and they are usually organised into two classes.
The school catchment area covers all parts of Wareham but parents who live outside the area can apply for their child to attend the school on the basis of parental preference. Ms Lawrence can advise on the appropriate procedure.
At nine years of age the children transfer to Wareham Middle School or Sandford Middle School.
The Governors, Headteacher and Staff recognise that the curriculum is the sum total of what your child experiences as a member of the school.
Strong emphasis is put on learning in all subject areas of the curriculum. Equal emphasis is put upon setting high expectations in work and behaviour, so that all individuals have opportunity to achieve full potential. The school ethos is positive and caring. There are clear school policies for curriculum teaching and behaviour. Parents are informed about all our policies as part of the open relationship which is enjoyed. Education must be a partnership between home and school.
SCHOOL UNIFORM GRANTS
The school encourages the wearing of a simple school uniform, the distinctive item being a green school sweatshirt with our school logo. Further details can be found elsewhere in the school brochure.
It is the Governors’ intention to support parents and guardians, who may find it difficult to provide school uniform in the following way:-
1. A child will be entitled to a school uniform grant if he/she is eligible for a free school meal.
2. If a child is entitled to a school uniform grant, he/she will receive this in the form of one school sweatshirt in the Autumn term of each year or on school entry, if he/she joins during the school year.
3. If the child becomes eligible for a free school meal during the school year, he/she can then receive a school sweatshirt at that point or when needed.
4. A simple application form (obtainable from the School Office) will need to be completed. The Headteacher or School Office will be able to help with this, if necessary.
5. Evidence regarding eligibility for a free school meal will need to be provided, but the award of a uniform grant is not dependant on the child actually receiving a free school meal.
6. When evidence of eligibility for a free school meal has been given, the award of a uniform grant will be approved by the Headteacher.
7. A sweatshirt will then be ordered and paid for by the school and passed to the child’s parent of guardian. A receipt will need to be signed.
8. Entitlement to a uniform grant will remain confidential between the school and the applicant.
This information will be reviewed by the Governors in February each year and may be subject to change at that time.