School Prospectus

BOLTON BL4 8PB TELEPHONE 01204 333642

Head Teacher: Mr Paul Puckey

St Stephen’s is a Voluntary Aided Church of England School which celebrated its centenary year in 2013. Our aim is to provide a stimulating and challenging curriculum which develops independent learners and helps them to succeed in a happy, caring and Christian environment.

As a school, we pride ourselves on our family feel and strive for all the children in our care to reach their potential. Our Motto of ‘Our Faith can move Mountains’ underpins our approach to education, where everyone can move their own mountains through our 4 key Values of:

Love, Hope, Faith and Trust

The high expectations of staff and dedication to the children ensure our pupils feel secure, loved and cared for.

We know how important successful partnerships in school are to support the childrens education. We ensure we are always working with Parents (we are a Leading Parent Partnership school), with St Stephen’s Church and with the Community (including local and global links). All of this is underpinned by strong support from our Governing Board which is fully committed to ensuring that the school provides the best possible educational opportunities for all children.

“Pupils,includingchildrenintheearlyyearsarehappytoattendthiscaringschool.Everyoneis madetofeelwelcome.” Ofsted

2023

The aim of this prospectus is to give you as much information as possible about life at St Stephen's. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to welcoming you to the St Stephen’s family.

Paul Puckey Head Teacher

MISSION STATEMENT, ETHOS STATEMENT, AIMS AND WORSHIP

Mission Statement

St Stephen's C E School aims to develop its children and staff to their full potential in a happy and caring Christian environment by:

 providing a high quality education, both academic and social, in a Christian context

 fostering high expectations and aspirations

 maintaining a caring and disciplined ethos

 maintaining close home/school links

 developing in its pupils, as members of a Church school, a sympathetic understanding of the Christian faith and a respect for other world faiths.

Ethos Statement

St Stephen’s C E School recognises its historic foundation and will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Churches at parish and diocesan level.

The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experience offered to all children.

Aims

1 To educate the children intellectually, socially, morally, aesthetically, physically and spiritually based on Christian principles.

2 To promote the highest academic standards in all aspects of the curriculum by ensuring that all children develop to their best potential in acquiring and understanding the skills upon which they can build in the secondary stage of education.

3 To encourage learning by providing a welcoming, friendly and supportive environment in which Christian values are central to the ethos of the school and its teaching.

4 To stimulate in children a sense of curiosity and excitement about the world and to encourage them to search for truth, meaning and purpose in life and to provide an opportunity to search for a faith by which to live.

5 To show concern and care through a strong sense of Christian values for all members of the school community and to show respect for the code of conduct and discipline of the school.

6 To encourage children to think as individuals and to explore, discriminate and discover things for themselves.

7 To ensure that children have a good moral and spiritual awareness to fit them for the world in which we live, preparing them for the opportunities, experiences and responsibilities of the outside world.

8 To nurture links and to establish good secure relationships between children, staff, parents, governors and members of the church, parish and local community.

9 To use the financial resources at our disposal to provide good accommodation and surroundings and the highest possible levels of staffing and equipment.

Worship

As a Church of England Voluntary Aided School we provide education within the principles and practices of the Anglican Church and this is reflected in our collective worship.

An assembly is held each day and is an integral part of school life, when the school comes together for worship and to share the many good things which are going on in the school. The following are generally included in Assemblies :-

 A hymn, prayers, music, discussion or activity and time for reflection.

 Celebration of Success – presentation of certificates and awards, including children’s personal achievements outside school.

We have very close links with St Stephen’s Church. Deborah Bithell leads regular worship both in school and in church twice a month. We also attend church for significant Christian festivals, including Easter, Harvest and Christmas.

We hold a Leavers’ Service in Church at the end of the year for the Year 6 Class. All Year 6 pupils also attend the Diocese of Manchester Leavers’ Service held in Manchester Cathedral. Confirmation Classes are offered to all pupils in Year 6 leading to a Confirmation Service in Church. Parents and friends are invited to attend special Assemblies and Church services.

OUR SCHOOL TEAM

Head Teacher

Deputy Head Teacher

Teachers

Mr Paul Puckey

Mr Andrew Townsend – Year 3

Miss E Wild – Reception

Mrs L Faulkner - Year 1

Mrs J Hall & Mrs L Lomax – Year 2

Miss L Wilkins – Year 4

Miss S Kinsey – Year 5

Mrs S Kerr – Year 6

Higher Level Teaching Assistants Mrs N Bostock, Miss C Clegg, Miss Y Clegg

Teaching Assistants Miss E Brinsley, Mrs K Gregson, Mrs J Robinson and Miss A Smith

Reading Ambassador Miss B Smith

School Business Manager Miss P Sowe

Office Manager

Learning Mentor

Site Manager

Mrs J Bonnar

Mr D Haslam

Mr S Williams

Lunchtime Supervisors Miss V Brown, Mrs S Comley-Excel, Mrs D Glover, Mrs J Leach

The Governing Board is responsible for overall management of the school. Our Governors are :-

Chair of Governors/ P.C.C St Stephen’s Church

Ex-officio Foundation – Vice Chair

Diocesan Representative

P.C.C. St Stephen's Church

P.C.C. St Stephen's Church

Ex-officio

P.C.C. St Stephen's Church

Staff Governor -- Elected by Teachers

Parent Governor

Parent Governor

Appointed by Local Authority

Head Teacher -- ex-officio

Mr D King

Mrs R Branchflower

Mr A Hall

Mr N Turner

Mrs C Berry

Mrs D Bithell

Mrs S Savage

Mrs N Bostock

Mr D Jones

Mr B Tighe

Mr J Seggie

Mr P Puckey

St Stephen’s (Kearsley Moor) C.E. Primary School

ADMISSIONS POLICY

Admissions to an Aided school are the responsibility of the Governors, in agreement with the Diocesan Board of Education and the Local Authority.

The standard number agreed for admission to the Reception Class is 30. Responsibility for admissions is delegated to the Head Teacher, acting in consultation with the Chair of Governors.

The school will admit all children having an Education, Health and Care Plan for SEN in whose EHC Plan the school is named.

When the number of applications exceeds the number of remaining places available, the decision on which children will be admitted will be based on the following criteria:

1. Children in public care, (Looked after children) and previously looked after children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order).

2. Children whose medical or social circumstances mean that their needs can only be met at this school.

3. Children who will have an older brother or sister attending the school at the time of their admission.

4. Baptised children whose parent(s)/guardian(s) are in regular attendance at any church.

5. Children whose parent(s)/guardian(s) are in regular attendance at any church.

6. Any other children.

Notes:

a) Regular attendance is normally taken to mean a minimum of fortnightly attendance at church at public worship for at least the year prior to 1 st September in the year before admission to the school. Evidence of infant baptism or dedication of the child and of regular attendance of the parent(s)/guardian(s) must be provided by a member of the clergy or other designated church officer on the admission form provided.

b) Where there are more applicants for the available places within a category, then distance to the child’s normal home front door from the main gate of the school in a straight line measured on a map will be used as the final determining factor, nearer addresses having priority over more distant ones. The ‘normal’ home of the child will be taken to be the home in which the child sleeps for the majority of the school week.

c) Where admission is sought under exceptional medical or social circumstances criteria, professional supporting evidence, e.g. from a doctor, psychologist or social worker, is essential. Such evidence must set out the particular reasons why the school is the most

suitable for the child and the difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend another school.

d) ‘Brother’ or ‘sister’ includes step, half, foster and adopted brothers or sisters living at the same address and full brother or sister living apart.

Twins

Where there are children of multiple births wishing to be admitted and the sibling is the 30th child, the governors may admit over the infant class requirement if it is possible to do so.

Waiting list

Where we have more applications than places, the admissions criteria will be used. Children who are not admitted will have their name placed on a waiting list. The names on this waiting list will be in the order resulting from the application of the admissions criteria. Since the date of application cannot be a criterion for the order of names on the waiting list, late applicants for the school will be slotted into the order according to the extent to which they meet the criteria. Thus it is possible that a child who moves into the area later to have a higher priority than one who has been on the waiting list for some time. If a place becomes available within the admission number, the child whose name is at the top of the list will be offered a place. This is not dependent on whether an appeal has been submitted. This waiting list will operate until the end of the autumn term only.

Appeals

Where the governors are unable to offer a place because the school is over subscribed, parents have the right to appeal to an independent admission appeal panel, set up under the School Standards and Framework Act, 1998, as amended by the Education Act, 2002. Parents should notify the clerk to the governors at the school within 14 days of receiving the letter refusing a place. Parents will have the opportunity to submit their case to the panel in writing and also to attend in order to present their case. You will normally receive 14 days’ notice of the place and time of the hearing.

Deferred Admissions

Children will be admitted to the Reception class at the beginning of the Autumn term before their fifth birthday. Parents may request that their school place be deferred until later in the school year and if they do this the place will be held for the child. They cannot, however, defer entry beyond the beginning of the term after the child’s fifth birthday, nor beyond the school year for which the original application was accepted. Parents can also request that their child attends on a part time basis until the child reaches compulsory school age.

Please keep this copy of the Admissions Policy for your own information.

THE SCHOOL DAY

Gates open each morning at 8.40 a.m. and close at 8.55 a.m.

Morning Session

Reception – 8.40 a.m to 11.45 a.m. continuous provision

Key Stage 1 – 8.40 a.m. to 11.55 a.m. (Breaktime 10.15 a.m – 10.30 a.m.)

Key Stage 2 – 8.40 a.m. to 12.05 p.m. (Breaktime 10.30 a.m – 10.45 a.m.)

Afternoon Session

Reception/Key Stage 1 – 1.00 p.m. to 3.10 p.m.

Key Stage 2 – 1.00 p.m. to 3.15 p.m.

Gates open each afternoon at 3.05 p.m. and close at 3.10 p.m. (KS1) and 3.15 p.m. (KS2)

The school has 7 classes. Children are taught in their own class by their class teacher but are also taught occasionally by specialist staff e.g. Spanish, Music, Sport or whilst their class teacher is planning and assessing.

SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Our Statement of Intent for the Curriculum

Ourcurriculumisdesignedto:

 Equip all children – irrespective of disadvantage or SEND – with the knowledge, skills, attitudesandaspirationstoenablethemtocontributetoandsucceedin,futuresociety

 Reflect the home context of many of our children by providing a broad range of memorable learning experiences, within a vocabulary rich environment, to engender positiveattitudestolifelonglearning

 Ensurethat all pupils ‘learn toread andread tolearn’at an age appropriate level and fluencyinordertoaccessthefullcurriculumoffer

 Progressively build upon key skills and knowledge in a planned and coherent way –delivering high quality and timely interventions as appropriate – throughout the key stages

The school offers a creative curriculum and aims to provide children with an exciting, broad, balanced and differentiated range of experiences. English and Maths are taught separately but are reinforced through the Cross Curricular approach. In addition, throughout the year there are whole school themed days which give children an opportunity to work with teachers and pupils from other classes.

Reading

We endeavour to unlock a love of reading and ensure reading has the highest priority in school. Early reading is underpinned by phonological awareness. We use a synthetic phonics programme called ELS to help develop the children’s reading skills. The children will be immersed with a variety of texts and will always have the opportunity to listen to stories read aloud by an adult in their classroom daily. It is vital parents support their children with home reading and communicate with school via 7

the Reading Record. In school, we promote the love of reading through our Remarkable Reader rewards scheme.

Our Key Stage 2 Reading Champions support our Reading Ambassador in celebrating reading.

“Leadershaveprioritisedtheintroductionofanewphonicsschemeandtheschoolmotto ‘ReadingunlocksLearning’isonthetipofeveryone’stongueinschool.”

“They(pupils)understandtheimportanceofreadingandhowwellitwillhelptheminlater life.”

Ofsted2023

Maths

We recognise the importance of understanding number and number operations. The children will be exposed to high quality teaching and equipment to help support mathematical understanding. Please try to support your children with counting rhymes and maths games to underpin basic understanding of number. At the end of Year 4, the children are expected to know all of their times tables up to 12 x 12 and take the multiplication tables check. Please support your child with their weekly maths homework and help them develop their mathematical vocabulary.

“Leadershavehighexpectationsofbehaviourandachievementforallpupils………andhave developedanambitiouscurriculumthatengagespupilsandcapturestheirinterest.”

Ofsted2023

Educational Visits

A comprehensive programme of educational visits and visitors enhances the curriculum. The school is required to give written information to parents, including a permission slip, which must be signed and returned to school in order for the children to participate. It is the school policy to ask parents for a voluntary contribution towards the cost. If your child is eligible for Free School Meals, there will be no cost for educational visits. Without your support these trips would not be able to go ahead. Residential visits are arranged each year for Year 5 (Grasmere in the Lake District for a 2 day, 1 night Geography field trip) and Year 6 (Anderton Centre for a 3 day, 2 night residential where they take part in team building, outdoor and adventure activities.

Extra-Curricular Activities

We offer a wide range of Extra Curricular Activities for children to cater for all tastes, including sports, creative and musical activities.

Relationships and Sex Education

From September 2020, Relationships Education will be compulsory in primary schools. We have adopted a new PSHE scheme called SCARF. Sex Education is not compulsory and St Stephen’s will be limiting teaching to the content required by the National Curriculum for Science.

Homework

Showing an interest in the work your child does at school and supporting them with homework is really important. Homework is given throughout school and our consistent approach supports learning through feedback and marking within school. Please help your child to make the best use of their time at St. Stephen’s by supporting them with work sent home.

Religious Education

Religious Education teaching follows the Manchester Diocesan Board of Education Religious Education Syllabus for Church of England Schools, introduced in September 2015, which reflects the National Framework for RE, the National Society Statement of Entitlement and the requirements of SIAMS (The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools).

Our Religious Education programme offers the children a firm grounding in the principles and practices of Christianity, especially as represented by the Church of England. In recognition of the society in which our children live they will also be offered the opportunity to explore some of the other faiths represented in Britain today.

In May 2016 our school was awarded the Gold RE Quality Mark, a nationally recognised award. In December 2016, following a statutory inspection by the Church of England, the distinctiveness and effectiveness of St Stephen’s was judged to be OUTSTANDING. Parents are informed of the importance of Religious Education in our curriculum before they accept a place at St Stephen’s. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from Religious Education and worship. However, in such a case, they must put their request in writing to the Head Teacher who will then invite them to discuss their concerns before a final decision is made.

It should be noted that:‘The Worship and Religious Education provided by the school is in accordance with the Church of England or Methodist Church Foundation. This foundation is also reflected in the curriculum and the whole life of the school community. Since the conduct of the school as a whole reflects the Church of England or Methodist Church ethos, removal of pupils from worship and/or Religious Education (as parents are legally entitled to do) cannot insulate them from the religious life of the school.’ (Church of England Board of Education)

“ReligiousEducationshapesanddeliverstheschoolethos………..andchildrenarebothsupported and challenged as they learn to become critical thinkers, enabling them to make informed decisions.”

REQualityMark2016

BEHAVIOUR

Behaviour is expected to be of a high standard both inside and outside the school. Our Behaviours are underpinned by our Four Key values of:

Love, Hope, Faith and Trust

Children are rewarded for good behaviour through a rewards system and weekly ‘Star Awards’. Our behaviour system links to our ethos of ‘Our Faith can move Mountains’. Every week a child from each class is rewarded by being invited to our Mountaineers Club. These children are selected from all who have shown the right behaviours and attitudes all week.

“Pupils,andchildrenintheearlyyears,behavewellinlessonsandatsocialtimes.”

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

At St Stephen’s we ensure all pupils (including Gifted and Talented pupils) have the greatest possible access to a broad and balanced curriculum which meets their educational needs.

The SEN Code of Practice states that a child has special educational needs if he or she has a learning/physical difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made. Mrs Faulkner is the teacher responsible for co-ordinating the day to day provision for pupils with S.E.N. at St Stephen's School. Mrs Savage is the S.E.N. Governor of the school.

“Staffareadeptatcarefullyadaptinghowtheydeliverthecurriculumtoensurethatpupils withSENDlearnthecurriculumwell.”

Ofsted2023

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE

Safety and the general well being of every child at St Stephen’s is paramount. To ensure the safety of all children, visitors to school during school hours, must enter via the Main Entrance.

“Pupilsarepoliteandrespectfultoeachotherandstaff.Pupilsareverypositive abouttheirschool.”

“Thearrangementsforsafeguardingareeffective…………staffteachpupils howtokeepthemselvessafe,includingwhentheyareonline.”

Ofsted2023

HOUSE SYSTEM

On entry to school all children are placed in a House, with a House colour :-

Coniston Derwent Ullswater Windermere

Each House has a House Captain and Vice-Captain . Throughout the year children take part in a range of House activites, giving opportunity for children to work together collaboratively across all year groups. Team points from Brilliant Behaviour, Good Samaritan and Super Learner awards also contribute to a termly competition for the St Stephen’s House Trophy.

FRIENDS OF ST STEPHEN'S SCHOOL (FOSSS)

Parents, grandparents, other relatives and friends are invited to join FOSSS, which organises fundraising events and activities to help buy resources, equipment and other extras for the school.

SCHOOL MEALS

We offer school meals, cooked on site. As part of an initiative by the Government, free school meals are currently offered to all children in Key Stage 1. Children may also bring a healthy packed lunch which should not include chocolate, sweets or nuts of any kind. If you wish your child to have a snack at morning break, please ensure it is a piece of fruit or vegetable only.

ATTENDANCE

School registers are marked at the start of the morning and afternoon sessions. The school doors open to receive children at 8.40 a.m.. To encourage punctuality we are required to mark, as late, those who arrive after 8.55 a.m.

Parents are requested to inform the school on the first day as to the reason for a child being absent. If no reason is given we have to classify this as unauthorised.

We are continually trying to improve pupil attendance to ensure all pupils are able to take advantage of the learning experiences available to them. With this in mind, we have introduced ‘The Traffic Light Initiative’. Every term all parents will receive a letter informing them which traffic light zone their child falls into and their attendance record. Green Zone indicates your child has achieved between 95% - 100% attendance for the term. Amber Zone indicates attendance between 85% - 94% and Red Zone indicates attendance of below 84%. In addition we will report class attendance levels in the weekly newsletter and reward children termly with badges for 100% attendance.

In accordance with the Governments’ drive to improve attendance the school does not authorise holidays during term time.

SCHOOL UNIFORM Boys Girls

Navy "V" neck sweatshirts with school logo

Tailored grey school trousers / shorts

White shirt with buttons

School tie (available from school)

Socks – black or grey

Navy tracksuits with school logo

Navy "V" neck sweatshirt/cardigan with school logo

Grey pinafore dress/skirt/trousers/sky blue checked dresses in summer.

White blouse

School tie (available from school)

Tights, or socks, should be plain navy, grey, black or white

Navy tracksuits with school logo

All uniform can be purchased from ‘Ziggys School Outfitters’, Brackley Street, Farnworth. Sensible black school shoes with no flashing lights or toys, not trainers, sandals or boots. The wearing of jewellery is restricted to a watch and, if ears are pierced, one pair small stud earrings.

P.E. Clothing

All children come to school in their PE kit on their set PE days. Trainers for outdoor use, plain navy shorts, House coloured T-shirt, Tracksuit with logo for outdoor games during cold weather. The wearing of jewellery is not permitted in P.E. lessons.

As with school uniform ALL ITEMS SHOULD BE MARKED WITH THE CHILD’S NAME.

At St Stephen’s we aim to do all we can to help parents, carers and families support their children’s learning. We believe parents are the biggest influence in the development of children’s lives and as such, we recognise and value your support. We welcome the opportunity to work, in partnership, with all parents, fully involving you in your child’s education with an aim of improving achievement.

The school has achieved the nationally recognised Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA) and we have established a Parent Partnership Group, made up of parents, staff and governors, who work as part of a whole school team sharing their opinions and ideas. Parents are also encouraged to contact Class Teachers and the Head Teacher whenever there are any concerns.

Weekly Newsletters are published each Friday to keep parents well informed. In addition, we use Class Dojo, which is our whole school online learning portal where we will share precious moments with you. We also use the Teachers to Parents texting service as well as Twitter as a communication tools.

Home-School partnership is strong and parents’ views of all aspects of school life are extremelypositive.PleasetakealookattheOfstedParentView2023.

Website

The school’s website www.ststephenskearsley.co.uk is used as a form of communication between school and home. In addition to information about the school, parents can view and download the following:

 Weekly Newsletter

 Year Group Information – topic overviews, class information, timetables

 School documents – some policies, holiday list, prospectus

 School Calendar

 Class Dojo – please sign up to your class for access

There is also a section with links to sites which the school feels may be useful to parents – Ofsted, DfE, Bolton Council etc.

Annual Reports and Parents Evening

Parents’ Evenings are held during afternoons/evenings in November and March. Written reports are sent out at the end of the year.

The information in this document applies to the school year 2023/2024 and was correct as at 27 th September 2023. Parents should not, however, assume there will be no change affecting these arrangements, or a particular item. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

St Stephen’s (Kearsley Moor) C E School

HOLIDAY LIST 2023/2024

AUTUMNTERM

*INSET Day Monday 4th September 2023

Term Begins Tuesday 5th September 2023

Half Term Monday 30th October 2023Friday 3rd November 2023

*INSET Day Monday 6th November 2023

Term Ends Wednesday 20th December 2023

SPRING TERM *INSET Day Wednesday 3rd January 2024

Term Begins Thursday 4th January 2024

Half Term Monday 19th February 2024Friday 23rd February 2024

Term Ends Thursday 28th March 2024

SUMMERTERM

*INSET Day Monday 8th April 2024

Term Begins Tuesday 9th April 2024

Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2024

Half Term (includes Monday 27th May 2024Bank Holiday) Thursday 6th June 2024 (Note 2-week break)

*INSET Day Friday 7th June 2024

Term Ends Friday 19th July 2024

THE SCHOOL YEAR 2024/2025 TERM START DATE – Tuesday 3rd September 2024

*INSET DAY – TRAINING DAY FOR STAFF, CHILDREN NOT IN SCHOOL