Middleton St.Mary's C of E VC Primary School Moor Flatts Road Middleton Leeds LS10 3SW Telephone: 01132717206 Fax: 01132703676   Head teacher: Miss Sarah Graham Email: grahamsm02@leedslearning.net

 

 

Headteacher's Welcome

 

Welcome to our school website!

 

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all visitors to our school website.

 

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well being of all our children and expects our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

 

It is quite a challenge to give a flavour of the enthusiasm and optimism that is almost tangible when anyone visits our place of learning.

 

Our school ethos is C.A.R.E.

 

C - Christian values

A - Aiming for the best

R - Responsible for each other

E - Equality through education

 

 

It is a privilege to learn alongside inspirational pupils, supportive governors and wise colleagues.  As with any school, we have challenges to face on our journey but with the needs of each and every child uppermost in our mind, the quest to succeed is ever present.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Sarah Graham

Headteacher

 

Visit my new Head Teacher Blog at http://msmheadteachermissgraham.edublogs.org/

 

Curriculum

 

Our curriculum is concerned with the provision of opportunities in a wide range of areas of learning, for the development of each individual’s potential, value and self worth. We also provide opportunities for individuals to develop as responsible members of society. Our curriculum is rooted in Christian values.

 

The school’s curriculum is based on the National Curriculum 2000, the International Primary Curriculum  and incorporates the Literacy Hour and the Numeracy daily lesson. The school has curriculum policies and schemes of work for every subject, which ensures the quality and progression of the curriculum.The curriculum work to be covered  (subject knowledge and skills)  are taught through a thematic cross curricular approach. Units begin with challenging and thought provoking questions to develop lines of enquiry.

 

In Years 1 & 2 the pupils are involved in the Key Stage 1 curriculum, which is tested at the end of year 2. Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 are Key Stage 2 and the children are tested nationally at year 6 and locally at years 1, 3, 4 & 5. The year 6 results will be published in National League tables. The results tell us how well children are performing over time.

 

The Foundation Stage has a Nursery and two reception classes. It has recently been extended and refurbished. It provides an excellent start for children who enter year 1. The environment, both inside and out, gives children the opportunities to explore and experience learning in a safe and supportive unit.

 

You will receive a termly summary of areas of the curriculum to be covered and at the end of the year you will be invited to consultation evening in the Autumn and Spring Term. You will also receive a full report at the end of the Summer Term giving details of your child’s progress and effort made throughout the year.

 

We consider ourselves a ‘learning community’ Each half term the whole school is encouraged to identify and develop the essential skills to become an effective learner.

 

These are:

 

Resilient New beginnings

 

Resourceful Going for goals

 

Reasoning  Getting on and falling out bullying

 

Reflective Good to be me

   

Respectful Relationships

Responsible  Changes

 

Please have a look at our information about the 6Rs of learning at the bottom of this page.

 

 

English

 

Reading  - We believe that learning to read underpins the whole curriculum. We aim to develop your child’s learning skills and foster an enjoyment in reading for pleasure and information. Your child reads regularly at school and we expect parents to support their child’s reading development by reading with them at home. The Reading Partnership books are the link between home and school. Parents are encouraged to add comments in this book. Children will select a book for their level to take home. All children are encouraged to change their own book each day. Teachers will from time to time add a comment in the partnership books. The teaching of reading takes place through guided reading and daily phonic sessions. Some children will be identified to read to an adult in school on a one to one basis.

 

Writing - Your child will be taught a variety of methods of recording their ideas on paper, across the curriculum. We emphasise the use of joined writing with due emphasis on grammar, punctuation and spelling as your child progresses. Big Write provides opportunities for children to write for a sustained period of time. These sessions are carefully planned around a theme. A ‘warm up ‘ session takes places for about 10 -15 minutes. This takes the form of games and interactive work. It is expected that children will apply their knowledge in the ‘Big Write’. This writing is enjoyed by the children. Staff create an inviting and exciting environment eg special pens, low lights and exciting artefacts etc.

 

Speaking and Listening - We provide a variety of situations for all children to develop these skills, thus enabling them to participate more fully in the life of our school and the world outside.Drama is used to support learning.

 

Mathematics

  

We aim to foster positive attitudes towards Mathematics, developing the children’s skills in all areas - number, algebra, shape and space, measures and data-handling.  We encourage the use and application of maths to real life situations.

 

The subject is well-resourced, and has a comprehensive Scheme of Work, providing progression and continuity.  Each year group has non negotiables which children in that year group are expected to master. We are committed to extending the more able pupils and providing support for those having difficulty with the subject. Formative and diagnostic assessment take place termly, and SATs or optional SATs are applied at the end of Years 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Parents are encouraged to support their children in increasing their mathematical knowledge and understanding, and formal reports are sent to parents at the end of the school year.

 

Science 

 

Our aim is to encourage the children to think of Science as exciting, challenging and fun. We wish them to develop a greater awareness of the role that Science plays in the world around them and acquire as much knowledge as possible from first hand experience. We encourage them not just to accept scientific statements but to ask the question ‘Why?’ and seek solutions, wherever possible, through practical investigations. They learn to plan and
record their work in a variety of ways and develop the skills of observing, predicting and hypothesising, while extending their scientific vocabulary.

 

Information Communication Technology

  

Visit the ICT blog at: http://msmamazingict.edublogs.org/

 

At Middleton St Mary’s Primary School every pupil and member of staff is entitled to become a confident and competent user of information technology. I.C.T. has a cross curricular theme which provides full access to the National Curriculum. Pupils of all abilities, irrespective of gender, race, class or creed, will be provided with the opportunity to use and develop their I.C.T. skills.We have invested heavily in ICT. The school is wireless and lap tops and Fizz  Books are available for all pupils. Nintendo are also used throughout school. The ICT suite is equipped with 30 PC’S

 

It is our aim that:

 

• I.C.T. will become a natural tool for staff and pupils to use and will be integrated into their everyday working lives
• I.C.T. will enhance the quality of teaching and learning experiences for all
• Every learner will be encouraged to use I.C.T. resources as a source of information, and for presentation.
• Every learner will experience a range of equipment and software to enable them to select the appropriate tools for use in different situations.
• Every learner will enjoy using I.C.T in the process of achieving satisfying outcomes.

 

Our computer suite enables the children to have access to I.C.T. and to work as individuals, in small groups or as a whole class under the direction of the teacher.
We are connected to the internet and pupils are able to exchange electronic mail with other schools and search for information from museums, libraries, news providers and suitable web sites related to their lessons.

 

We have detailed policies covering all areas of Information Communication Technology including;  ICT Curriculum Policy, Acceptable Use Policy,  E-Safety Policy.  These include a set of rules for responsible internet use, and detail how our system is protected.

 

History 

 

Our aims are to develop children’s interest in the past, introduce pupils to what is involved in understanding and interpreting the past by exploring the concepts of change and continuity, causes and consequence, considering key features of past situations and helping children to form a sense of identity through learning about the development of Britain, Europe and the World. We believe that visits to historical buildings and museums, far and near, are very important for children to acquire a deeper understanding and feel for the period of time they are studying. Throughout the school children will have the opportunity to use a variety of resources e.g. photographs, pictures, artefacts, newspapers and maps. At Key Stage Two specific periods of history are covered in greater depth.

 

Geography 

 

We recognise the importance of the child’s understanding of their environment and place in the wider world. Geography is a skill based subject and throughout the school children will be encouraged to explore the environmental, physical and human aspects of geography and develop their skills by observing and questioning geographical features and issues, collecting and recording evidence, analysing, drawing conclusions and communicating their findings.

 

They will study rivers, weather, settlement and environmental change. In the early years children will be involved in investigating their more immediate environment i.e. the school and surrounding area; this will then be built upon and extended into contrasting the familiar with other localities within the UK , Europe and the rest of the world.

 

Music 

 

Musical provision is of a high standard. We have a music specialist who comes into school on a weekly basis to give the children the experience using the musical instruments.. This focuses on all the requirements of the National Curriculum and follows a comprehensive Scheme of Work.
The subject is well-resourced, with instruments regularly updated and increased. We offer an extra curricular choir.

 

The school choir takes part in regular concerts in collaboration with other schools in the Trust

 

MfL

 

We offer our children the opportunity to learn Spanish and French as part of the curriculum.This is led by two language specialists.

 

Art 

 

Through Art, children are encouraged to develop an awareness and understanding of the work of famous artists and their environment. We provide numerous opportunities and experiences with various materials and art forms. Children are encouraged to experiment, enquire and use materials expressively and inventively.

 

Design & Technology

 

The aims of our teaching in Design and Technology are to develop children’s design and making skills, and to enhance knowledge and understanding. We try to develop the children’s capability to create high quality products through combining these skills. We nurture creativity and innovation, and try to develop an understanding or technological processes, products and their manufacture and their contribution to the modern world.

 

Physical Education

 

P.E contributes greatly to the intellectual, physical, moral and cultural education of your child. At Middleton St Mary’s Primary School every child is offered indoor and outdoor P.E which includes games, dance, gymnastics and athletics. Swimming is offered to lower key stage 2 pupils. Older pupils are given the opportunity to represent the school in a variety of team games. The school is part of a Trust and works closely with the PE  department in the High School. There are athletic events and inter school sports. All children are encouraged to participate in our annual sports day. and many extra curricular sporting activities.A  variety of coaches support the school

 

Sporting Aims

 

We believe that through sport the children at Middleton St Mary’s Primary School will have the opportunity to develop many personal skills. They include co-operation, confidence, fair play, tolerance, teamwork, self discipline and perseverance.

 

Swimming 

 

Children in years  4 have swimming lessons once a week at the  Rothwell Sports Centre. Pupils travel on the coach with their teachers. 

 

Religious Education 

 

R.E is seen as contributing to the whole education of the children within the school. Through R.E the school is concerned with enabling pupils to continue in, come to, or develop their own beliefs, ideas and attitudes whilst respecting the right of other people to hold beliefs different from their own, in accordance with  Leeds agreed syllabus, the children will make particular studies of Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism.

 

Collective Worship

 

The school day includes an act of worship which is Christian in accordance with the Education Act 1988. Parents have the right to withdraw children from religious assemblies and religious education lessons, pursuant to their rights under the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1988. Children of other faiths who are withdrawn from assemblies and lessons are given alternative work by their teacher.

 

Parents who wish to withdraw their child from Religious education and the act of worship should consult with the Headteacher.

 

Special Educational Needs 

 

Our aim is to provide a caring environment for all children to achieve their full potential. The school does not refuse entry to any child on the basis of his/her special educational need. The school fully integrates all children within its classes from Early Years to Year Six. The school building is on a single level and facilitates the use of wheelchairs. Disabled toilet and shower facilities are also available.

 

The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator is responsible for the day to day operation of the SEN policy.

 

Children may be identified as having special educational needs from a variety of sources. These may be parents, G.P., health visitor, nursery or class teachers. Identification may be through observation, formal assessment, school screening tests, medical assessment or Educational Psychologist assessment.

 

Once a need has been identified procedures are put in place to support the child’s special educational needs. Advice is sought from various sources, including parents, teachers and outside agencies. A programme of work is then devised to support the child’s needs.
Regular review meetings are held to discuss progress and further action.

 

Personal, Social & Health Education 

 

The school will maintain an open policy towards all matters of sex education and matters arising through cross curricular activities will be explored as appropriate to the needs of classes, groups and individuals at any given time. The Governing Body are currently reviewing this policy and recognise the importance of working in partnership with parents in this area.

 

SEAL

 

Social and  Emotional aspects of learning are delivered through the national SEAL  programme.  There is an ethos statement for each half term .This links the 6 R’s OF learning and Collective Worship.

 

 Homework – Learning Logs

 

The school values the place and importance of homework for pupils. We expect parents to support the school by helping their child with reading, spelling and maths tables. Weekly spellings and maths tables are sent home to be learnt. Parents are responsible for supervising ¬the presentation of homework and ensuring that it is returned regularly to school. The Learning log provides an more open, challenging  approach to learning so that pupils develop research skills. The logs ensure that no ceiling is placed on the learning to be undertaken at home and a child can spend as much time as they feel they want to.

 

We encourage pupils to develop outside interests, e.g. Cubs, Brownies, Dance or Musical Instruments

 

 

  

 

 

 

                                                                                           

 

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Please have a look at our leaflets about learning