St. Lawrence C E Primary School - PROSPECTUS

Aims

Introduction

Admission to Reception Year

Active Learning

National Curriculum

The Arts at St Lawrence

Information and Communications Technology

Sports Programme

The School Day

Educational Visits

Aims

At St Lawrence CE Primary School, we aim to provide a happy, secure and stimulating learning environment where each child can make full use of his
or her ability and interests. We aim to provide equal opportunities for all children,
regardless of race, colour, creed, gender, ability, social circumstances or class within the school.

We recognise that at the heart of the educational process is the child. We are concerned with each child's physical, intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual and moral growth and development.

We aim to provide consistency, continuity and progression in every aspect of school life.

We aim to develop independent, well-motivated children who are able to accept increasing responsibility for their own learning.

We provide a broad-based curriculum that lays a good foundation for all future learning.

We aim to enable children to use words and numbers with understanding and enjoyment.

We aim to involve parents in the life and activity of the school. We recognise and value the fact that each child's education began at birth. Young children's parents have taught them most of what they know, and we hope that the parents will continue to play an active part in their children's education.

We encourage each child to develop self-discipline with appropriate standards of behaviour. We place emphasis upon being part of a caring community in which each
individual has a part to play.

As a church school, St Lawrence provides a Christian background for all our pupils. We aim to instil respect for religious and moral values as well as an understanding
and tolerance of other faiths and beliefs.

We seek to develop whole, well-balanced individuals with lively, enquiring minds who will want to continue their education long after our involvement ceases. Back to top

Introduction

St Lawrence CE Primary School is attended by pupils from Lechlade and the
surrounding communities. Shelley's Walk leads to the school from St Lawrence
Church in the town centre, at the edge of open fields on the banks of the River Thames.

We offer pupils a broad-based curriculum complemented by an active sporting
programme and by academic, cultural and artistic opportunities provided through
many clubs and out-of-school visits. Our aim is to allow each child to make full use
of his or her gifts, and there is a strong emphasis on learning through experience.
Parents are encouraged to play an active role in the education of their children.
The school fosters close links with the home, Parish Church and wider community.
Our commitment to staff training has led to the school being recognised as an
Investor in People.

St Lawrence is a voluntary aided school, and the majority of our governors are
appointed by the Diocese of Gloucester after consultation with the Parochial
Church Council. We provide a Christian atmosphere that emphasises respect for
other faiths.

The school has nine classrooms, a large hall (which also serves as a gymnasium),
a library and a separate dining room. It also has a school office and staff room.
The school has large playing fields, a woodland and wildlife area, with a small
amphitheatre (which can be used as an outdoor classroom) and pond, and a
surfaced playing area.

We hope that you will find this Prospectus a useful introduction to St Lawrence School. If you would like a copy of the most recent Annual Report of the Governing Body or if you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Back to top

Admission to Reception Year

Under our Admissions Policy, applications for admission to the Reception year in
September should be received by the school by 31st March. After the child has been offered a place in the Reception year, a Reception class teacher normally speaks with the parents to arrange a visit. This visit enables the school to become familiar with the child and to address his or her particular needs from the beginning of the school year.

Initially, children in the Reception year attend school for half of each day, building up to a full week by the October half-term holiday. Back to top

Active Learning

Children learn most effectively through involvement in a variety of educational
activities and experiences.
We aim to give children enjoyment and independence in reading and learning. Right from the start, we encourage children to take books home to read with their
parents. Writing is developed by having each child record their experiences, in the
form of prose and poetry, charts and factual scientific recording of observation and
experiments. Children are shown the correct way to write lower-case and capital letters in a joined script, and we hope that parents will help them at home. Children consolidate their learning through the use of worksheets
and published materials.

There are opportunities for children to express their strong creative instincts
through art, music, design and technology, and writing. If a child has a particular
interest, we seek to nurture it.

Using the school's Teaching and Learning Policy, the teaching staff provide the best
possible education for our pupils. To optimise the learning environment, the school draws upon the help and expertise offered by parents, governors, advisers, educational support services, members of the local community and outside agencies.

The governors see the roles of the school and home as equal partners in the education of the children and, as such, each has to support the other, in order to secure the very best opportunities for children at St Lawrence School.

Foundation Stage
In the early years, emphasis is placed upon laying a sound foundation for future
learning. Well-planned play, both indoors and outdoors, is a key way in which young
children learn with enjoyment and challenge. This foundation stage covers six areas
of learning:
1. personal, social and emotional
development
2. communication, language and literacy
3. mathematical development
4. knowledge and understanding of the world
5. physical development
6. creative development. Back to top

National Curriculum

From Year 1 to Year 6, teaching is in accordance with the National Curriculum
and covers:

* core subjects - English, Mathematics, Science, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
* other foundation subjects - Art and Design, Geography, History, Music, Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE), Physical Education, and Design and Technology.

English

In accordance with the National Curriculum and the National Literacy Strategy requirements for English, our policy is to provide the full range of opportunities necessary for the children to develop competence in standard English.
We aim to create enthusiastic, responsive and knowledgeable readers. To support these aims, we have a modern well-stocked library, where children can cultivate important research skills and a love of books.

The school arranges visits from theatre groups and a variety of other speakers. Children are given opportunities to participate in a range of dramatic activities. Each class has an audio centre, which further encourages skills in speaking and listening.

Mathematics

The teaching of maths at St Lawrence School aims:

* to follow the programme of study laid down in the National Curriculum and the
framework for teaching mathematics in the National Numeracy Strategy
* to promote and develop 'mental maths', confidence and enjoyment using a
variety of mathematical strategies.

In Numeracy lessons, the pupils receive direct interactive teaching, which encourages them to support one another in their learning. A typical maths lesson would consist of a mental maths warm-up session followed by a teaching activity and a plenary.

Science

The school promotes the enjoyment of science by using the child's natural curiosity and excitement for the subject. Whenever possible, we take advantage of the school environment, including our natural woodland area, raised flower beds and pond.

Children are taught about the physical, material and natural world in small achievable steps, which are linked to scientific enquiry whenever appropriate. By the end of Key Stage 2, the children will be instructed how to research independently, plan, manage and present their own science investigation.

Geography

Through geography, the children will gain knowledge of the world that sustains us,
natural systems and climates, and other countries and cultures.

From Key Stage 1, the pupils are taught to ask geographical questions, to observe and record, and to express their views about the world. They begin to use geographical vocabulary, to use globes and maps, and to make maps of their own.

Their knowledge and understanding of places will develop through identifying and
describing what places are like and where they are.

Through Key Stage 2, knowledge, skills and understanding are enhanced by studying a UK locality and one from a less economically developed country. The pupils study water and its effect on landscapes and people, how settlements differ and change, and the importance of environmental issues. The pupils' learning in this subject area is enriched by a wide range of resources, including ICT.

History

History is not just about the past. It's about why we are, who we are and what's next. At St Lawrence School, we have a wealth of resources and artefacts that enable our children to look at many aspects of history. The pupils carry out their own research, developing their knowledge and understanding, and using ICT skills.
Key Stage 1 brings to life famous people and events in Britain and the wider world. The children gain an understanding of chronology and learn historical vocabulary.

Key Stage 2 focuses on specific eras covering the Ancient World, European history and British history.

Design and Technology

Through the use of a wide range of tools and materials, including construction kits, food and and textiles, the children are taught skills that encourage their capability to design, make and evaluate products in a safe manner.

Religious Education

The principal aim of Religious Education (RE) is to enable pupils to understand the nature of religious beliefs and practices, and the importance and influence of these in the lives of believers, so that their own personal spiritual and moral development will be promoted. RE is in accordance with the agreed syllabus for all Gloucestershire schools and embraces Christianity and other faiths. Daily worship, as in all state-maintained schools, is broadly Christian in content, reflecting the school's Church of England foundation. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of these activities, after discussions with the Head Teacher.

PSHE and Citizenship

The personal and social development of the children is enhanced by a school
environment that allows them to feel safe and for which they have some responsibility. Within this part of the planned curriculum, the Governing Body has agreed that sex education will be taught through the school. Parents will be invited to discuss this work, thus providing the opportunity for views about these personal topics to be shared in the home. Also, parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or any part of the sex education provided, except the content required as part of National Curriculum science, and they should consult with the Head Teacher if they wish to do so. Back to top

The Arts at St Lawrence

The arts form an important part of learning for every child, and they are thriving at
St Lawrence School. Music has a central place at school, and every child receives a weekly lesson as part of the National Curriculum. Visiting teachers offer tuition on violin, clarinet, flute and saxophone. School staff supplement this tuition by offering
instruction on the recorder. Lunchtime clubs include country dancing and modern dancing. The school orchestra meets weekly and performs throughout the year in school assemblies, the Christmas carol service, and the annual exhibition of art and
music at the school.

Art and design stimulate creativity and imagination, providing visual, tactile and
sensory experiences along with a unique way of understanding and responding to the world. Examples of paintings and drawings by pupils are proudly displayed on the walls of the school. Pupils can extend their artistic capabilities in the junior art club, which meets at lunchtime.

The pupils' work in the end-ofyear exhibition is often outstanding, attracting admiring comment.

Visiting musicians not only give concerts but also conduct workshops to help
students progress, and the school is visited by outside drama groups. We are
fortunate in possessing a large hall with portable staging and a small outside amphitheatre to encourage dramatic performance. Back to top

Information and Communications Technology

Information and Communications
Technology
The school is determined to provide its pupils
with high-quality ICT resources and to nurture
the skills needed to use these resources
effectively.
From Reception year onward, all pupils are
taught, at a level appropriate to their age and
experience, the skills necessary to enable them
to make effective use of ICT. Text editing, data
handling, desktop publishing and multimedia
skills are all part of the training.
Pupils use ICT to enhance their learning across
the whole range of National Curriculum
subjects. The school has software available for
use by all pupils, whatever their needs.
Each classroom has its own mini-computer suite
with an Internet connection, allowing the pupils
to search for information and send e-mail.
Through the use of filtering provided by a
recognised developer of school software, we
seek to assure that the sites visited by children
are suitable.
The school website displays work created by
our pupils (www.st-lawrence.ik.org). Back to top

Sports Programme

Exercise is important for all, and physical
activities play an important role in the
development of healthy, well-balanced
children. The teaching at St Lawrence School
meets the requirements of the National
Curriculum in athletic activities, dance, games,
gymnastics, outdoor and adventure activities,
and swimming. In the early years, indoor and
outdoor activities concentrate on the
development of co-ordination skills. Drama,
dance, gymnastics and games also help in the
development of language and provide
incidental mathematical experience. In later
years, physical education (PE) enables children
to work in co-operation with others and
provides the opportunity for exercise and the
release of energy.
Clubs extend pupils? sporting activity. In
addition, pupils have the opportunity to
compete against others in matches arranged
with other schools, county events and
inter-school challenges.
All children have the opportunity to swim
during Year 3. This activity takes place during
school time, and all Year 3 children are
expected to participate. Back to top

The School Day

The School Day
8.45 am Pupils may enter school
8.55 am School bell and registration
9.00 am Session 1
10.10 am Morning worship
10.30 am Playtime
10.45 am Session 2
12.00 noon Lunch for Reception,
Y1 and Y2
12.15 pm Lunch for Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6
1.10 pm Session 3
3.15 pm End of school day Back to top

Educational Visits

Educational visits that stimulate the children?s
interest and broaden their cultural experience
play an important part in the life of St Lawrence
School. A variety of visits are organised by the
class teachers to reinforce the work completed in
the classroom. If a visit occurs during school time,
all children are expected to take part.
Pupils in Years 5 and 6 are offered the
opportunity to go on a residential visit. The
purpose of this visit is for the children to study a
contrasting environment, such as the Forest of
Dean or the coast of Devon.
Each year, the school hopes to arrange a visit
by all pupils to some event, such as a play,
film or concert. This event underlines the
principle that the school is a community and
gives children the chance to widen their horizons.
Education is provided at the school without
compulsory charges to parents. However, there
are some valuable educational activities that the
school cannot provide without seeking financial
support from parents (see separate enclosures). Back to top