St Robert's Catholic Primary School Prospectus

Everything is possible if you believe.”

Mark 9:23

Love, Learn and Grow in Christ We live the Gospel Values through our Golden Rules Be Ready Be Safe Be Respectful Headteacher: Miss Jill Collins Chair of Governors: Dr Matt Blackamore

St Robert’s Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy, Ainsty Road, Harrogate, HG1 4AP Tel: 01423 504730 Email: admin@st-roberts.n-yorks.sch.uk Web: www.strobertsprimaryschool.co.uk

Prospectus Contents 1.0 Our School 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Mission Statement 1.3 Inspections 2.0 A Learning School 2.1 The Early Years Curriculum 2.2 The National Curriculum 2.3 Religious Education 2.4 English and Maths 2.5 Homework 2.6 Special Needs 2.7 Cultural Activities 2.8 Educational Visits 2.9 Arts and Music 2.10 PSHCE 2.11 Clubs 2.12 Sport 2.13 Relationships and Sex Education 3.0 An Organised School The School Day Dinners Pupil Premium Healthy Drinks and Snacks School Uniform Wrap Around Care Voluntary Contribution Scheme

A Catholic School Pastoral Care A Safe School Safeguarding Behaviour Attendance and Absence Health Care Nut Allergy Advice Mobile Phones Social Media Parking A Family School Open Evenings and Reports Home School Agreement Helping Hands P.T.A. Complaints Procedure Admission to School Admissions Procedure Admission Process At the End of Our School Statutory Assessment Tests Results and Achievements When Pupils Leave Us

1.0 Our School 1.1 Introduction St Robert’s is a Voluntary Academy in the Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust, in the Diocese of Leeds. It is a co-educational day school, which caters for children aged from 4 - 11 years. The school serves the children and families of two Harrogate parishes, St. Aelred of Rievaulx, and Our Lady Immaculate and St. Robert.

The school moved to its present site in 1962. There are ten large, bright classrooms, a wellresourced library and a multipurpose hall. The school has extensive playing fields, the grounds of which have been landscaped and features play equipment, a multi-use games area, a woodland, a gardening area and a prayer garden.

1.2 Mission Statement The rationale of the St Robert’s Catholic Primary School Mission Statement Every child is a unique creation of God. We actively encourage each child to reach their full potential by living out the Gospel values and deepening their understanding of the Catholic Faith and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. We want to inspire and nurture every child within a happy, stimulating and inclusive school where children respect and care for each other.

Everything is possible if you believe."

Mark 9:23 We live the Gospel Values through our Golden Rules Be Ready Be Safe Be Respectful

Our Catholic centred learning environment offers a broad and balanced curriculum where every child can feel secure and confident. Children are encouraged to become independent learners and always be ready to face new challenges. We aim to provide an excellent education and instil a lifelong genuine love of learning. We want children to develop an aspiration for outstanding, personal achievement develop an understanding of the world and to contribute to society as responsible citizens.

1.3 Inspections St Robert’s School was inspected by Ofsted in May 2009 and was judged to be an ‘outstanding’ school in every aspect. The latest diocesan inspection was carried out in April 2019 and the school was again judged to be ‘outstanding’. Both reports can be accessed through our school website or can be requested from the school office if required. When the next inspection takes place, parents will be notified.

2.0 A Learning School We have high expectations of our children and find that they respond well to the challenge. The children follow a carefully structured programme throughout school. A variety of inspiring teaching methods are used across the school, all work being based on the Early Years Curriculum (YR) or the National Curriculum (Y1-6). The broad and balanced curriculum is structured through the Catholic virtues encompassing learning and experiences which educate the whole child.

2.1 The Early Years Curriculum The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) applies to children from birth to the end of the Reception year. At St Robert’s, children join the Reception classes in the September before they turn five. In partnership with parents and carers we enable the children to begin the process of becoming active learners for life.

Before children start school, we operate an induction programme to ensure parents and children are ready for the first day at school. We invite the children into school in the summer term over a number of sessions designed to make the children feel safe and secure in their new setting. Children come to the first session with their parents to acquaint themselves with their new class, new teacher and new friends. This is followed by an afternoon session where children and parents can enjoy a school lunch together and while children go off to class, parents listen to a presentation about how to prepare their children for their move into the Reception class.

This is an opportunity to ask any questions and find out more about how to help their child get ready for school.

New Reception children will meet their ‘Special Friend’ from the new Year 6 children who will help them settle into school at the start of the term and look after them throughout their Reception year.

This is a special friendship for both Reception and Year 6 children and they often strike up friendships which continue beyond their time in school. We are proud of the way the Year 6 children remember their own Special Friend from their Reception days and take on the responsibility of ensuring their own Special Friend in Reception settles well into St Robert’s school life.

We aim to support children in their development through a broad range of exciting and engaging learning experiences that give them a strong foundation for making good progress on their journey through school. We want our parents/carers to share in that learning journey and encourage positive communication between school and home at all times. Parents/carers are the main educators and are welcomed into school regularly to share and celebrate the children’s learning.

2.2 The National Curriculum In Years 1-6 the National Curriculum implemented in 2014 ‘provides pupils with an introduction to the essential knowledge that they need to be educated citizens’ (The National Curriculum 2014). At St Robert’s we promote a curriculum which develops children’s motivation and commitment. We aim to give our children a well-rounded education to become positive, confident individuals.

At the beginning of each school term parents receive details of the areas of study their children will encounter during that term, this can also be found on the school website.

2.3 Religious Education

As a Catholic faith school the children spend 10% of curriculum time learning RE. St Robert’s is part of the Leeds Catholic Diocese and follows an RE scheme of work called, ‘The Way, The Truth, The Life’ which closely follows the liturgical year. The Catholic ethos underpins all that we do in school. All members of the school community are encouraged to live out the gospel values in their everyday lives. The Catholic virtues inspire and encourage children to make the right choices in their everyday life.

School worship and assemblies are a special time. Children take an active part in worship –leading collective worship and sharing assemblies and services with their parents. They are taught to listen to the message of the Gospel with a quiet reverence and are encouraged to take this message to heart and let it reflect in their everyday activities and relationships. Masses are held in school on special occasions such as our annual Welcome Mass and Masses during Advent and Lent as well as our Leavers’ Mass.

At certain times of the year such as Lent, the children raise funds for those less fortunate than themselves. Donations are made to various charities including CAFOD, The Bishop’s Good Shepherd Appeal and the Harrogate Homeless Project.

Sacramental preparation programmes are run separately in both our parishes each year for children in Year 3 or above. The school fully supports these programmes by reinforcing areas of study and holding special school assemblies and liturgies for the children of both parishes.

2.4 English and Maths English and Maths are taught everyday in class. This usually follows a formal lesson structure and incorporates a variety of teaching and learning styles into its format. There are also opportunities to work across the rest of the curriculum using the English and Maths skills previously learned.

A mastery in maths approach has developed children’s thinking and reasoning so that they are able to have a much more resilient approach to their own learning.

Learning precise mathematical vocabulary has enabled children to talk the language of maths and discuss their different methods and logical reasoning. An emphasis on fluency means the children need to practise their arithmetic skills at home and at school in order to gain a firm foundation in number.

A prominence on developing writing skills in English has seen children become more successful in their independent work. Cursive handwriting script is taught all the way through the school and children are expected to present work neatly, organised and legibly in order to gain a pen licence in each class at Key Stage 2.

Reading is taught through a progressive phonics programme with lots of fun activities and learning strategies. Reading in many formats and genres is encouraged and children can share their reading with parents. A love of books is fostered and we promote the sharing of books at every opportunity both at home and at school. The children are able to visit the school library once a week and use a digital librarian system to borrow a book.

2.5 Homework The School’s policy on Homework has developed to encourage children in their learning both independently and as a partnership between home and school. To encourage a positive work ethic parents/carers can support their child’s learning at home and interact with homework activities.

Homework is an integral part of learning. We all want our children to develop their knowledge – but we also want them to develop values. Beyond the chance to practice and reinforce what they’ve learned in class, it’s also an opportunity to develop independent study and application – and character traits like perseverance, motivation and self discipline.

What is the role of parents/carers?

Ultimately, the responsibility for a child’s educational development is a shared one. Parental involvement makes a big difference, from the very earliest stage. In the early years we ask parents/carers to support their child’s development through story telling, singing or reading together.

Later on, homework can give parents/carers continued involvement in their child’s learning which has a positive effect on their development.

For the success of the homework policy it is essential for a partnership approach between the parent, teacher and child to be developed. Parents need to be informed of when homework is given and what is expected. By giving this information the parent and teacher work collaboratively and the school can build support with the parents.

The DFE recommended time allocation for homework is Y1/2 - 1 hour per week; Y3/4 – 1 and a half hours per week; Y5/6 – 30 minutes a day.

The majority of homework set at St Robert’s is computer based. The main programs are Spelling Shed and My Maths. Key Stage 2 also use Times Table Rock Stars and Read Theory.

If you have any concerns about your child’s homework please contact the class teacher in the first instance.

2.6 Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Every child in St Robert’s School is special. To ensure we promote our policy of early identification of special needs, our dedicated Special Needs Inclusion Manager, Mrs R Janney works closely with the class teachers and teaching assistants. A copy of the Special Needs Policy is available from the school office.

Information, including NYCC’s ‘local offer’ for special needs can be found on our school website.