Copy of Prospectus 2024-2025

OUR SCHOOL VISION OUR SCHOOL VISION

Our School Vision encapsulates our hopes and aspirations for every pupil at St. Gregory's.

WELCOME

OUR EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL

It is a privilege to be the Executive Principal of St. Gregory’s Catholic Primary School: a one-form entry Primary School, situated in the heart of Stratford upon Avon. We are proud to be part of a much bigger family of schools, in a Multi-Academy called Our Lady of the Magnificat. This means that we are able to share expertise and resources within our family to provide the very best outcomes for every child in our care.

At St. Gregory's, nobody gets left behind: we are committed to promoting the very best outcomes for every child in our care. We provide memorable experiences which ensure that all children have access to a range of unique opportunities; enhancing their lives, within school and beyond. We firmly believe that it is not just about what happens in the classroom, it is about the added value we offer, which truly inspires our children.

OUR HEADTEACHER

We hope that this prospectus will give you an insight into our thriving school community. We also warmly welcome visits to our school, so that you can see our learning in action. Please do not hesitate to contact our School Office to arrange a tour.

It is a pleasure to work in such a rich and vibrant school community where pupils, staff and families work together to provide the best possible experiences for our pupils We work actively with our children who take on Pupil Leadership roles to shape school life and their experiences We celebrate the enthusiastic involvement that our pupils have

At St Gregory’s all pupils are valued and cared for Our children feel happy, confident, and secure in school; they develop a great respect for others as they develop as life-long learners Everybody is welcome and the unique identity of each of our children is celebrated. One child said, ‘It doesn’t matter whether you are Catholic or not, you are still loved by God.’ In our most recent Catholic Schools’ Inspection, we were recognised as an Outstanding School; inspectors shared that, ‘The school is proud of its fully inclusive nature, meaning staff and pupils of all cultures and beliefs are warmly welcomed.’ (CSI Inspection, October 2023).

At St Gregory’s, we believe that all children have an equal right to a full and enriching education which will enable them to achieve their full potential. We provide a safe, stimulating and inclusive learning environment where every member of our community is valued and respected.

Our broad, balanced curriculum and enrichment activities provide opportunities for all to achieve and succeed. We raise the aspirations and expectations for all pupils with SEN and ensure that teachers are able to identify and provide for those pupils; allowing them to join in all school activities together with their peers.

CATHOLIC MISSION

‘We are an outstanding Catholic Primary School.’

OUR GOSPEL VIRTUES AND VALUES

At St Gregory’s, we have a rich and diverse Catholic Mission Programme and our faith permeates through all aspects of school life: through our daily prayer, Sacramental Preparation, Liturgy, whole school events and retreats.

Each half term, every pupil explores two of the Diocesan Gospel Virtues and Values and one of the Catholic Social Teachings. We spend time reflecting on the meaning of the words and how we can work, called by Jesus, to encapsulate these values in our lives.

The children are given a variety of ways to explore Jesus' teachings, including through Music and Art lessons, as well as Forest School Nature Nurture sessions too.

OUR MISSION IN ACTION SCHOOL MISSION

Supporting local charities, chosen by the children, including: Stratford Food Bank, local Care Homes and local hospitals. Exploring our Catholic Mission throughout the curriculum, for example: caring for chicks and butterflies; caring for God’s Creation; raising awareness of refugees through poetry Exploring the lives of the Saints through workshops, delivered by Diocesan Vocations Officers, as well as whole school Vocations Days, school Saint’s Museum, retreats to Alton Castle and visits to St Chad's Cathedral.

HOW WE LIVE OUT OUR MISSION

Thought provoking assemblies and workshops led by guest visitors including: the Dog's Trust, charities such as CAFOD and people in the community who help us, such as Police Officers, Fire Fighters and Doctors.

Working with our Local Parish and developing our local heritage by supporting events within Stratford.

Participating in Liturgy through child-led worship and encouraging pupils to undertaken leadership roles within whole school Mass.

Learning through a rich, varied curriculum, which includes opportunity to explore World Religions and issues such as the refugee crisis

Showing creativity within lessons, which enables pupils to reflect deeply on Jesus' teachings and develop in their religious literacy.

THE EARLY YEARS

In the EYFS, we help each other to achieve the unthinkable! We enjoy learning through play and solving new problems. We know that: challenges give us chance to grow, our creativity is a gift and with a Growth Mindset, we can achieve our dreams.

Our curriculum builds upon the knowledge and skills which the children have acquired within their nursery and pre-school settings, as well as within their homes. It enables the children to succeed through co-operative and collaborative learning principles. As such, there is a strong emphasis on the Prime Areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, and Communication and Language. There are carefully crafted opportunities for the children to develop these Prime Skills within the four Specific Areas of: English (Literacy), Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design

Our enabling environments and warm, skilful, adult interactions support the children as they begin to link learning to their play and exploration. Research demonstrates that high engagement levels aid pupils’ progress and we, therefore, provide an engaging curriculum, with enriching activities which are provided by subject specialists. On a weekly basis, pupils receive Art and Music Lessons from subject specialists, PE and Swimming Lessons which are taught by Level Three Sports Coaches and Forest School Lessons are delivered by our highly-experienced Forest School teacher. We enhance our curriculum provision by following the children’s interests and ideas; fostering a life-long love of learning, both in and outside of school.

OUR CURRICULUM

Through our dynamic and inspiring curriculum, we strive to develop every child's passion for learning. This bespoke curriculum is carefully crafted so that each child can develop academically and socially, whilst providing the knowledge, skills and experiences needed t succeed. We ensure that an effective balance of broad learning opportunities are available to aid the holistic development of ou children.

Through our broad and balanced curriculum, we grow minds that motivated to question and develop a thirst for knowledge. We encourage our children to aspire for academic excellence and ha high aspirations for themselves. At St. Gregory's, our children’s vie and ideas are respected and encouraged, and we help to build resilient attitudes which rise to a challenge and support each child become a become lifelong learner.

Our children feel safe: they take risks, ask questions, make mist learn to trust, share their feelings and grow. They celebrate t own, and others', successes and learn from mistakes; developin skills of resilience and perseverance.

We encourage our children to use the vibrancy of our nation a local area to learn from other cultures, respect diversity, coope with one another and appreciate what they have. Our curricu promotes equality for all; we provide equal opportunities an celebrating diversity. We achieve this by providing a strong SM (Spiritual, Moral, Social, Vocational and Cultural) curriculum, w Fundamental British Values at the core.

WHAT MAKES ST. GREGORY'S SPECIAL?

A PUPIL'S THOUGHTS...

“I really love being a pupil at St Gregory‘s because everyone is welcome and cared for. I enjoy participating in lots of fun activities: a whole school trip to Chester Zoo and being a Mini Vinnie. I have really enjoyed my role as Head Girl; I have helped other children and led assemblies and art clubs.”

Mia Green, Head Girl

A TEACHER'S THOUGHTS...

"After the first day at St. Gregory's, I knew this was the school for me. The staff and pupils are always so welcoming and supportive; I love being part of the St. Gregory's family. In this school, the children always come first."

Miss Duxbury, EYFS Lead

A PARENT'S THOUGHTS...

"My three children are thriving in St Gregory's Catholic Primary School We feel very much part of the St Gregory's family They are having an exceptional start to their education Not only are all their teachers committed at the highest level but they also have a dedicated Music, Art, Science, Forest School and PE teachers, so the children are accessing a multi-disciplined approach to their schooling."

Mrs. Marie

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARISH PRIEST...

"St. Gregory's is a thriving, happy and successful school - a lovely place to be - with a very strong, child-centred culture. The children are renowned for their outstanding behaviour and the Catholic life of the school is excellent; encouraging the children in their prayer and spiritual development. St. Gregory's Catholic Primary School is a joy for a Priest to work in "

Fr Alex Austin