Starting school is an anxious time for both children and parents. We will make it as enjoyable and easy as possible. In the term before the children start, the parents and carers will be invited to a meeting where we will inform them of all they need to know about the school. There is also an opportunity to ask questions.

Prior to entry to the Reception class, the children will be invited to spend time in the school, in order for them to begin to familiarise themselves with the staff, the environment and meet new friends.

Teachers will visit the children and parents in their home. They will also liaise with all pre-school settings to ensure the transition to reception class is an effective, really positive experience for children and their families.

CATHOLIC LIFE AT ST PETER'S

Religious Education is at the heart of life at St Peter’s. It is a subject in its own right, learned by all students.

A Catholic school is much more than just Religious Education lessons; the Catholic Faith informs the values and practices throughout the school.

Not all our children are Catholic, but they are expected to acknowledge Church values and participate in the religious and liturgical life of the school. We have a Chaplaincy team who lead and facilitate our prayer and worship and have regular visits from the local Catholic priests.

THE BENEFITS OF AN ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL

• Having all the School’s phases (Key Stages 1-5) working together to track the children’s progress from age 4 to age 18
• Being able to support a child, knowing them well as learners, from age 4 onwards
• Creating a shared educational ethos that supports children from 4-18 and provides consistently high expectations for all
• Enabling primary age students to access the secondary phase specialisms, resources and facilities more easily
• Accommodating a wider breadth of activities for Gifted and Talented students and those with Special Educational Needs
• Having a wide range of ‘out of school’ activities that benefit from greater resources and can be interest rather than age-related
• Addressing the ‘dips’ in learning usually associated with transitions and transfers from school to school
• Having consistent pastoral care
• Providing greater opportunities for staff development and learning from new ways of doing things

THE FOUNDATION STAGE OF LEARNING

The Foundation Stage (for children in the Reception year) is organised into seven areas of learning.

• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design