Welcome to our Prospectus

Whether you already have a child at St. John's or you are a parent who is considering sending your child here, we hope you find the following information useful. Its purpose is to state our school aims and philosophy and to serve as a reference point on some of the practical matters that you will need to know from time to time.

St. John's is a one-form entry Church of England Primary School. We aim to provide children with a broad curriculum and we are very proud of our achievements in the basic skills of literacy and numeracy as well as in sport and the expressive arts. To broaden children's horizons further, we offer a wide range of extra curricular activities.

St. John's Church plays an important role in the life of our school. Through its influence, the values of the Christian faith are explicitly promoted, we believe these values are reflected in the ethos of our school.

If you are a prospective parent and, having read our prospectus as follows, you would like to view the school, please telephone the school office (01704 227441) to make an appointment.

I look forward to meeting you.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Daniel Hains
Headteacher

Contents / Index ...

School Address and Contact Details           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Mission Statement           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

The child is at the centre of our school. We aim to provide the highest standards of education.

To achieve this we recognise the following ...

School Aims           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Staff           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Governing Body 2005 / 2006           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

School Day           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

All children and parents enter the school through the playground gate. Children should not arrive at school before 8.45 a.m. Children may enter the building at any time from 8.45 a.m. when staff will be in their classrooms. Attendance registers are taken promptly at 8.55 a.m.

Playground gates are opened before 8.45 a.m. but there will be no school supervision by staff until 8.45 a.m. At the end of the day, the gate is opened at 2.55 p.m. Children are welcome to use the playcourt provided they have parental supervision at the end of the day until 3.45 p.m.

If your child is ill, please telephone the school office on the day of their absence before 9.30 a.m. Please follow this up with a letter to your child's class teacher.
You are asked to avoid booking holidays during term time as this has an adverse effect on your child's learning. We do appreciate, that from time to time, you may wish to keep your child off school for important family reasons. Absences for circumstances other than illness are authorised at the Headteacher's discretion and application can be made by completing an absence form available from the school office.

Good attendance and punctuality is important at St. John's . Children should be settled in class at 8.55 a.m. when the register will taken. Children arriving after this time will be marked late. We are legally required to give the names of children who are persistently late to the Education Welfare Service.

Children can choose to bring a packed lunch or have a school dinner at lunchtime. Children are given a choice of three options for their meal. These are chosen in advance and ordered from the kitchens at Stanley High School where they are cooked. We encourage parents to pay for school meals on a weekly basis with payment being made on a Monday morning to the class teacher. Meals are £1.30 a day totaling£6.50 per week.

Communication           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Any concerns you may have should be brought first to the attention of the class teacher.

If you need to speak with your child's class teacher, it is always best to make an appointment. It may be possible for you to do this prior to the start of school at 8.55a.m. but please be aware that this is a busy time and a mutually convenient time may be more appropriate to discuss a matter fully.

Uniform           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Children can wear tracksuits for outdoor P.E. during cold weather.

Children may only wear football kits for after school clubs such as football.

P.E. kit should be kept in school during the week and taken home for washing on a Friday.

Children may change into trainers for outside breaks and lunchtimes only. Shoes must be worn indoors and on the journey to and from school.

Jumpers cardigans, polo shirts, ties, reading book bags, hats, scarves, fleece jackets, baseball caps and swimming hats are all available with the school crest.

No jewellery should be worn in school, with the exception of watches and stud earrings.Nail polish or make-up of any kind is not allowed and if worn children will be asked to remove it

Children do not need to bring their own equipment into school. The class teacher will provide pencils, pens, rulers etc.

Please make sure that all your child's uniform is clearly marked with his/her name. All unclaimed and unnamed items of lost property are disposed of or donated to charity at the end of every term.

Admissions           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

We admit all children in the Autumn term of the school year. Children start school in the September following their fourth birthday. The school operates the General Admission Policy recommended by Sefton Children, Schools and Families Directorate. Priority for admission is given to siblings of children already in school. Consideration is then given to the distance that you live from the school.

If you are interested in your child attending St. John's then you will be asked to complete an 'Expression of Interest form'. In September prior to the year that your child will start school you will be sent an admission form to complete and return to St. John's. This will be forwarded to Sefton's Children's Service who will allocate places based on the above criteria.

Parental Partnership           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

We believe that children will be happy and successful learners in school if their parents are fully involved in a three-way partnership - Child - Teacher - Parent.

Parents' Evening is an important part of this process. There is an opportunity for you to meet with your child's teacher approximately three weeks into the Autumn term. In mid-October another Parents' Evening is held to ensure that your child has settled down and in the Spring term you will have the opportunity to look at and discuss your child's work. In the Summer term you will be invited to discuss your child's Annual Report should you wish to.

Your assistance with reading and homework are most important. From time to time we organise and run parent workshops to support learning at home.

Parenting 2000           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Parents and Friends Association           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

We have a thriving and dynamic Parent and Friends Association. All parents of children at St. John's are automatically members. We hope that as many parents as are able will want to take part in our social and fundraising events and become involved in the life of the school.

Links with St. John's Church           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

We are proud to be a Church of England school. The links that we enjoy with St. John's Church are very close. The Vicar, Phil Green, is the Chairman of the school Governors and a regular and welcome visitor to the school. During their time at St. John's our children get to know him well.

Rev. Green guides some of our Year Six children to confirmation every year and he leads services for pupils, staff and parents at the start of the school year, Harvest time, Christmas, Easter and the end of the summer term.

Every year the congregation at St. John's contribute generously to the school by buying us resources to enhance our daily acts of collective worship.

Other Links
At St. Johns's we are proud to be linked with Stanley High School Specialist Sports College. We are able to access sports coaching and opportunities from specialists at Stanley High School.

Curriculum           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

At the Meet the Teacher evening held in September you will be given a Curriculum Map showing all the subjects and topics that will be taught throughout the school year. This is to help you support your child's learning at home with reference books, trips to the library, days out etc.

At St. John's we are proud of the many opportunities we offer children to experience creative and artistic activities. All children take part in dance as part of the P.E. curriculum and we take part in an annual Dance Festival for Sefton Schools.

Some children are given the opportunity to play the recorder, violin or to learn to play the drums. Our recorder groups have performed at the Arts Centre in Southport . We have a choir for Years Four to Six who have sung at local events in Crossens and at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall in Sefton's Annual Choral Festival.

Children's artwork is highly valued and displayed in frames around the school. All classes take part in an annual stage production using our high quality lighting and sound equipment.
A central thrust of school development is the pursuit of creative opportunities and approaches to the curriculum.

Children play a wide range of sports as part of the P.E. curriculum such as football, netball, rugby, hockey, gymnastics, dance, swimming, athletics, rounder's and cricket. Children may also take part in sports as part of our extra-curricular programme. Our provision for physical activity was celebrated with the re-award of the Active Mark Gold standard.

R.E. is conducted according to the 1988 Education Reform Act. We use Sefton's agreed syllabus that teaches about Christianity, other major religions and their festivals as well as consideration of feelings, attitudes and values.

An assembly is held each day. This maybe a class, junior/infant or whole school assembly. Every month a Celebration Assembly is held where parents are invited to see their child being celebrated for his/her good work, attitude and behaviour. Each half term we hold a Peer Praise Assembly where children identify some of the many positive characteristics of their classmates. Our half termly Outside Interest Assemblies are designed to make children aware of the variety of activities, clubs and groups on offer outside school.

In September 2004, staff embarked on an ongoing programme designed to promote the importance of Social and Emotional Learning. All adults working with children consistently use strategies to help children understand their own emotions and those of others.

Sex Education is taught through a planned programme of Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education. In Year Six children are taught about the subject in more detail with support of the School Nurse. Parents will have opportunities to discuss this planned programme with the class teacher before it is delivered to the children.

All children have an Achievement Book in which they add to each term. It forms a fascinating record of your child's progress. Your child's Achievement Book will be on show at Parents' Evenings. Assessment goes on throughout the school. Staff note your child's progress at every stage to inform future planning. Children's reading and spelling is tested regularly. In addition, children in Years Two and Six sit national tests in May. In other year groups non-statutory national tests are carried out.

Special Educational Needs           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Our aim is for all children to fulfil their potential in school. We want to challenge and encourage all children to perform to the best of their ability. We strive to identify and assess Special Educational Needs and to make provision to meet them. Parents will be involved in discussing Special Needs provision and the effectiveness of it. Each class has a full-time Teaching Assistant who will work with the teacher to provide additional learning support. In some year groups specific intervention programmes are carried out in Literacy and Numeracy for children who we feel would benefit from them.

We recognise that particularly able children have a special need too and we strive to challenge and stretch them by providing differentiated work.

The teacher responsible for Special Educational Needs is Mrs Anna Patterson. For one day a week some children may work with our Support Teacher for the School Teaching and Educational Psychology Service, Mrs Jill Llewellyn.

Homework           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Homework guidance is issued in the Autumn term. The purpose of giving homework is primarily for consolidating skills already taught in school. The priority is the reinforcement of basic skills in Literacy and Numeracy. As children progress through school the amount of homework will increase in readiness for national testing and in preparation for High School.

Extra-Curricular Activities           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

We are proud of the number and the breadth of extra-curricular activities on offer. We try to make provision for children of all ages. In the past, clubs have included:

Art, Athletics, Baseball, Chess, Choir, Cookery, Computers, Cricket, Drama, Boys and girls football, First Aid, Gymnastics, Judo, Needlework, Percussion, Pottery, Recorders, Rounder's, Rugby, Tennis, Cheerleading, Dance, Maths Games, Dutch and Taekwondo.

Behaviour and Discipline           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

We want your child to work in a calm, secure and hard working environment. In order to achieve this, we have a very clear behaviour policy that strongly emphasises the importance of good behaviour. We strive to reward good behaviour and the keeping of school rules. Each class has its own set of rules devised primarily by the children. Teachers use a range of stickers, certificates and letters to take home to reward good behaviour. Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies are available on request.

School Travel Plan           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

The children, staff, parents, governors and members of our local community have all helped in the compilation of our School Travel Plan. The plan details our desire to:

Walk to School / Park Away Days feature termly in the school calendar. They coincide with assemblies following a healthy living theme, where the benefits of regular exercise, healthy eating and caring for the environment are raised.

Playground Improvement Project           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

An exciting phased project of playground improvement is already underway. We hope to make the school's outdoor environment as bright, interesting and stimulating as possible. We have already had a playcourt installed. Children who want to play ball games at break and lunch times use this on a rota basis.

More recently some very colourful and interactive displays of children's work have been mounted along with an Adventure Trail at the far end of our field.

Health and Safety           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

A safe and secure school is a prime concern for us. We aim to ensure that the environment in which your child works and plays is continuously monitored for any potential dangers. The Governors Premises, Health and Safety and Community Committee help to monitor and achieve this.

It is for reasons of health and safety that we have our rules regarding the non-wearing of jewellery (see Uniform section.)

Internet and E-Mail           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Use of Children's names and images
in the local Press and on our School Website           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Charging for School Activities           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Like all schools, at St. John's we are entitled to ask for voluntary contributions to help to fund certain activities, like educational visits. Our Governors also allocate a sum from our annual budget to help towards the cost of such trips. If we do not receive sufficient voluntary contributions, activities of this sort cannot go ahead.

Where educational visits take place beyond and/or outside school hours (such as residential trips) we do charge for them.

Complaints Procedure           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

If you are concerned about anything relating to your child's education and welfare, the first person you should speak to is always his/her class teacher. Having done this, you may decide that certain concerns need to be brought to the attention of the Headteacher.

It might be necessary for you to contact the Chair of Governors and, ultimately, the Children, Schools and Families Directorate at Bootle Town Hall .

National Test Results           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

School Awards and Achievements           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

Activities, Performances, Trips and Events           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

After School Clubs in 2004 - 2005:

Gymnastics, Netball, Football, Cricket, Baseball, Rounder's, Fun Sports, , Athletics, Dance, Cheerleading, Taekwondo, Cross Country, Basketball

Needlework, Art Craft, Chess, Cookery, Computer, Percussion, Maths Games

School Teams in 2004 - 2005:

Athletics, Netball, Football A & B, Cross Country, One Mile Races, High 5's, Tennis, Cricket, Baseball, Swimming, Basketball

Music Groups in 2004 - 2005:

Violin, Percussion, Recorders, Choir

Performances in 2004 - 2005:

Reception Class Nativity - December 2004
Christmas Concert -December 2004
Reception Class Mothers' Day Performance - March 2005
Talent Show - March 2005
Wally Cain Dance Festival - June 2005
'Noah' - Year Two - July 2005
Church Gala - June 2005
Leavers' Circus Performance- July 2005

Visiting Performers and Artists in 2004 - 2005:

Theatre of Today - 'Aladdin' - September 2004
Dave Ducket (Poet and animal expert) - Several poetry workshops
Mike Garry (Poet) - June 2005
Xmas Factor - December 2004
'Pack up your Troubles' - March 2005
Venture Productions - 'The Enchanted Booktower' - May 2005
Theatre of Today - 'Rumplestiltskin' - March 2005
Ceramics Painting - November 2004
Visiting Archaeologist - July 2005
Welsh Birds of Prey Centre - May 2005

Educational Visits in 2004 - 2005:

Winmarleigh Hall - Year Six - October 2004
Wigan Pier - Year Five - October 2004
Speke Hall - Year Four - November 2004
Mission Impossible - Year Six - April 2005
Yorkshire Dales Residential - Year Four - May 2005
Southport Eco Centre - Year Five - May 2005
Blue Planet Aquarium - Year Two - April 2005
Pleasureland - Year Six - June 2005
Chester - Year Three - June 2005
River Alt - Year Five - June 2005
Farmer Ted's - Year One - July 2005
Formby - Reception - July 2005

Tsunami Appeal - January and February 2005
Operation Christmas Child - November 2004
St. Joseph's Hospice - November 2004
Children in Need - November 2004
Comic Relief - March 2005
MacMillan Cancer Relief - April 2005
Khayelitsha Squatter Camp, South Africa - April 2005
Service Above Self - Highly Commended - June 2005
MedEquip 4 Kids - June/July 2005

Community Events in 2004 - 2005:

Spanish Classes for Parents
Start Right pre-school group
Walk to School Day 6 - November 2004
Christmas Bingo - December 2004
Christmas in Crossens - December 2004
St. John's Luncheon Club - carol singing - December 2004
Christmas Fair - December 2004
Parenting 2000 link formed - March 2005
Easter Bingo - March 2005
Stanley High Sports College Launch - April 2005
Refurbished Parents Room - May 2005
Safe Cycling - June 2004
Dance Evening - June 2005
Summer Festival - July 2005
Community Arts Evening - July 2005

Church Services in 2004 - 2005:

Back to School Service - September 2004
Harvest Service - October 2004
Confirmation Service - November 2004
Christmas Service - December 2004
Easter Service - March 2005
School Leavers' Service - July 2005

Links with Local Sports Clubs and Coaches in 2004 - 2005:

Miss Claire Howard - Taekwondo
North Meols Lawn Tennis Club
Fleetwood Hesketh Cricket Club - David Bernard (Jamaica and West Indies)
North Sefton Little League - Baseball
Stanley High Sports College
Teamtheme - Soccer

Sporting Success in 2004 - 2005:

Baseball - North Sefton Little League Champions
Netball - Runners up in Northern League
Cross Country - Co-ordinated by Mr. McCoy - One 1st place
Swimming - One representative in Sefton Team
High 5s - Sefton Mini Games Champions
Football - Runners up - Southport Schools 6-a-side
Football - 3rd place Southport Schools 5-a-side
Basketball - Sefton Mini Games - Runners up

International Links forged in 2004 - 2005:

Mrs. Finney and Miss Goddard to Hungary - April 2005
Partnership with School in Ghana
Appointment of Dutch Comenius Language Assistant from November 2004 - July 2005

What Parents Say About Us           <Go back to Prospectus Contents/Index>

"Family atmosphere within a good lerning environment where parents are involved."

"It has excellent dedicated staff who are approachable if there are problems."

"The school always provides a wide array of after school clubs and keeps us well informed with the newsletters."

"The enthusiasm of the teaching staff and quality of teaching."

"Open-door policy, excellent communication with parents and very approachable head and staff."

"Good teachers - my child has made progress each year and is given lots of encouragement and praise by both his teachers and classroom assistants."

"The way any problems are dealt with."

"Great play area."

"Good teacher and good head relationship. Always willing to hear problems and act on them."

"We like the school being small and it has lots of up to date equipment for the children and lots of extra activities."

"Approachable teachers and head who put the welfare of the children above all else."

"Strong links with the church and community."

"Committed teachers and caring attitude. Children happy to attend."

"Friendly approach of all teachers and staff. Would never feel any hesitation in approaching anyone."

"A very personal school where all the children and their families are known by name."

"Children's individual needs are met and parents concerns taken into account and acted upon."

"Parents and Guardians are involved in all aspects of the child's school life."