WELCOME
OUR EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL
It is a privilege to be the Executive Principal of Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School: a small rural school which is situated in Alcester. 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, whilst maintaining our authentic, family-like community.
Our Lady’s are on a very exciting journey of improvement and we are pleased to share with you the wonderful developments at our school. Over the past year, we have worked with external experts to re-write our whole school curriculum so that it is high-quality and bespoke to the needs of the community which we serve. We pride ourselves on providing our children with challenging and ambitious opportunities which bring their learning to life; supporting every child to achieve their full potential.
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.
OUR PRINCIPAL
I feel enormously privileged to be Principal of Our Lady’s. Our school is a vibrant learning environment where the children are motivated to achieve endless possibilities with Christ at the centre of all we do. Every child is welcomed and valued as a unique member of God’s family. We pride ourselves on working together to help all children reach their own, individual potential within our wonderful family-atmosphere that is special to our school.
We firmly believe that education is a partnership between home, school and Parish, and we regard parents as an active partner in their child’s education; we greatly value your interest and support because we truly are ‘united as one family in Christ’. I hope this prospectus will give you as much information as possible about our school and the many activities which the children enjoy through our diverse curriculum and enrichment opportunities. If you would like to come and see our learning in action, please contact me via the School Office.
Our Lady's is are proud to be an inclusive Primary School and we believe that every pupil has an entitlement to develop their talents, skills and strive for excellence in their learning, irrespective of any differences. We are committed to supporting every child to overcome any barriers to their learning so that they can achieve their full potential.
At Our Lady’s, all of our children learn in a warm and nurturing environment which enables them to make good progress, achieve high standards and develop into wellrounded young people who are ready to take their place in the world and achieve their dreams. If you would like any further information about our SEND provision here at Our Lady’s, please get in contact. I look forward to hearing from you.
MRS. KATIE WILKES
MRS. CLAIRE WILLIAMS
OUR SCHOOL VISION OUR SCHOOL VISION
The School Vision encapsulates our hopes and aspirations for every pupil at Our Lady’s.
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 PE lessons which are taught by Level Three Sports Coaches and Forest School Lessons which 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
We are very proud of our curriculum here at Our Lady’s, which has recently been re-written with subject specialists, and through this curriculum, we strive to develop every child's passion for learning. Our new, bespoke curriculum has been carefully crafted so that each ch can develop academically and socially, whilst providing the knowled skills and experiences needed to succeed. We ensure that an effecti balance of enriching learning opportunities are available to aid th holistic development of our children.
Through our broad and balanced curriculum, we grow minds that a motivated to question and develop a thirst for knowledge. We encourage our children to aspire for academic excellence and hav high aspirations for themselves. At Our Lady's, our children’s views a ideas are respected and encouraged, and we help to build resilien attitudes which rise to a challenge and support every child to becom become lifelong learner.
Our children feel safe: they take risks, ask questions, make mistak learn to trust, share their feelings and grow They celebrate their o and others', successes and learn from mistakes; developing the skil resilience and perseverance.
We encourage our children to use the vibrancy of our nation to lea from other cultures, respect diversity, cooperate with one another appreciate what they have. Our curriculum promotes equality for providing equal opportunities and celebrating diversity. We achie this by providing a strong SMSVC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, Vocation and Cultural) curriculum, with British Values at the core.
CATHOLIC MISSION
OUR GOSPEL VIRTUES AND VALUES
At Our Lady’s, we have a rich and diverse Catholic Mission Programme and our faith permeates through all aspects of school life: through 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 these values and how we can work to both encapsulate and apply these values in our lives.
The children are given a variety of ways to explore Jesus' teachings, including within our Nature Nurture sessions at Forest School.
OUR LADY’S MISSION IN ACTION
Liturgical Retreats with Dan and Emily from One Life Music, both in-person and virtually.
Supporting charities, chosen by the children, including: CAFOD and Fr. Hudson’s.
Working with the Heart of England Forest to build children’s awareness of sustainability and how to care for God’s Creation
Working with our Local Parish and developing our local heritage by supporting events within the Alcester community.
Participating in Liturgy through child-led worship and encouraging pupils to undertake Liturgical Ministries within whole school Mass.
Showing creativity within lessons, which enables pupils to reflect deeply on Jesus' teachings and develop in their religious literacy.
WHAT MAKES OUR LADY’S SPECIAL?
A PUPIL'S THOUGHTS...
My favourite thing about school is playing in the Outdoor Area. I like to bounce on the space-hoppers! We have a Forest School where we learn every Wednesday with Mrs. Hinton and I like building outside.
Finley
- Reception Class
A TEACHER'S THOUGHTS...
I love being part of Our Lady's Catholic Primary School. Our Lady's creates a wonderful, nurturing environment where all children thrive Our staff, pupils and their families are always so welcoming and supportive; this contributes to the wonderful life of our small school!
Mrs. L. Keen - EYFS Lead
A PARENT'S THOUGHTS...
I have two children who are thriving at Our Lady’s and their needs are met, both academically and socially. As a family, we feel very much part of the school; a community that the fabulous staff work hard to create
The foundation in EYFS and Key Stage One that my son has experienced has been exemplary. He has flourished and is prepared for his Key Stage Two journey to begin in September. My daughter is encouraged to aim higher and be proud of her efforts; challenged and empowered to be the best she can be
Both of my children have been given a positive environment in which to explore their faith as Catholics and grow their beliefs respectfully.
Mrs. S. Palmer - Parent of children in Years One and Four
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARISH PRIEST...
Catholic Primary Schools, such as Our Lady’s, are little, local examples of the universal church and have a crucial place in nurturing children during their early school years in the Catholic faith. This early formation will influence them throughout their lives. We are honoured to play such an important role in the education of your children.
Abbot Geoffrey Scott OSB - Parish Priest
