Mission Statement
Our Lady’s School embraces the uniqueness of each child through God’s message of love.
In our Catholic school family of Our Lady’s, the search for excellence is expressed in our learning and teaching which responds to the needs and aspirations of our pupils and acknowledges their individual worth as holy children. We see each child as ‘unique’ through God’s message of love.
Vision
Rooted in Christ, instructed by the teaching of the Catholic Church and inspired by the life of Jesus, the governors and the staff of Our Lady’s are committed to ensuring that the school becomes a flourishing centre of Catholic Lifelong Learning. We are dedicated to inspiring and forming young people, who are not only academically accomplished but who are spiritually alert, culturally developed and able to contribute effectively as Christians in the communities in which they live. In our school we serve, learn and love alongside one another.
At the heart of the community we value positive partnerships to enhance lifelong learning. We work in partnership with, and actively seek and listen to the views of, all our stakeholders for the good of our children. We share the need for self evaluation and continual working together for school improvement in order to achieve high academic standards and to respond to the challenge of expressing their God-given gifts. We develop our children and our school in response to changing educational needs.
Aims
- To ensure that each child feels happy, safe, valued and loved.
- To provide an exciting, fun and enjoyable educational experience for each child and promote a life-long love of learning
- To inspire our pupils to aim high, reach for the stars, be the best they can be and make the most of every opportunity that is given to them.
- To ensure that each child meets their God given potential and is nurtured academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally.
- To encourage each member of the school community to live their life in accordance with gospel values and to make a positive contribution to British society.
- To make prayer, worship and liturgy relevant and meaningful for each individual and to provide a learning environment that will enhance the development of faith of everyone in the school community.
- To work in partnership with parents, the parish, the community and other local schools, in order to provide a wide range of supportive interactions for our pupils.
- To have lots of fun, make magical memories and share smiles every day!
Promoting British Values
The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. The DfE has recently reinforced the need ‘to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values.’ These are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
At Our Lady's Catholic Primary School we are committed to serving our community and local area. In so doing, we reinforce British values regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democratic values are an explicit part of the ethos at Our Lady's Catholic Primary School. All adults listen to the views of the pupils and value their opinions. Pupils have further opportunity to have their voices heard through our Stewards of Creation and Pupil Voice interviews led by staff. The elections of Stewards of Creation and Head Boy and Head Girl are the result of pupil votes and all of these groups canvas the opinions of their peers.
At the end of Year 6 a number of awards are presented to pupils for their achievements. The awards are voted for by their peers and teachers so it is truly an honour to be nominated.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws and rules are consistently reinforced in the classroom, as well as through school assemblies. Pupils are taught to understand the need for laws – that they are there for individual protection, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
Pupils follow a positive behaviour policy and clearly understand the rewards and sanctions that are used. House points and value tokens are used across the school as rewards for pupils following the rules and setting a good example. Children understand that if all class members follow the rules rewards can be achieved.
Assemblies and discussions in class focus on recognising right from wrong.. A wide variety of after school clubs are available. Pupils have a choice of which club they would like to attend.
Individual Liberty
Pupils are encouraged to be independent learners, constantly making choices, within a safe and supportive environment. Developing their self-esteem and self-confidence is very important. Pupils are encouraged to understand their personal freedoms and are taught how to use these rights to best effect.
All pupils are keen to support charities, whether local, national or global. They are taught consideration for others through our Religious Education curriculum and PSHE lessons in particular.
Online safety teaching enables them to make choices in a safe manner.
Mutual Respect
Our school’s ethos and behaviour policy are based on Gospel values, with the important commandment being, ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. Assemblies constantly promote respect for others and the importance of good manners. All pupils are taught the importance of self-respect, honest and open communication with others and fair play. Pupils work collaboratively and value others’ opinions.
School virtues Certificates are awarded weekly in whole school assembly for children who are living Gospel Values and school virtues. Parents are invited to share this celebration.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
As a Catholic worshipping community, pupils are reminded of their place in a culturally diverse society. This is achieved through our Religious Education curriculum and the spiritual life of the school. The RE curriculum specifically teaches pupils about other world religions and visits are made to places of worship.
Assemblies and class work promote the diversity of society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally regardless of ability, gender, faith, heritage or race. Members of different faiths or religions are always welcome in our school community. Each year we hold a Multi faith week, where all areas of the Curriculum focus on international studies and different faiths and beliefs.
We encourage all pupils to be individuals but also to take pride in wearing their school uniform and being part of Our Lady's. Through a united uniform, pupils grow to respect each other.