Read Prospectus
Governing Body of School
Teaching Support Staff / Support Staff
Mission Statement
Our Vision Statement
Parent and School Partnership
Admission Arrangements
School Curriculum
Religious Education
Sex Education
Extra Curricular Activities
Governing Body of School
Chairperson Mrs P. McConnonDeputy Chairperson Mr D. McDonnell
Headteacher Mrs S.J. Pilkiw
Parent Representative Mrs D. Buckingham
Teacher Representative Miss A. Treanor
Staff Representative Mrs S. Blackett
L. A. Representative Mrs D. Pooley
Foundation Governors
Mr A. Brodie Mrs H. Brownell
Mrs M. Kinsella
Mrs P. McConnon
Mr D. McDonnell
Fr. S. Smith
Mr T. Woodley
Clerk to the Governors Mr M. Burn Back to top
Teaching Support Staff / Support Staff
Headteacher Mrs S.J. PilkiwDeputy Headteacher Miss A. Treanor
Reception Teacher- Mrs J. Wilkinson
Year 1 Teachers- Miss C. Haigh / Mrs K. Armstrong
Year 2 Teachers- Mrs C. Jessop / Mrs C. Stone
Year 3 Teachers- Miss A. Treanor / Ms H. Graham
Year 4 Teachers- Mrs N. Loosley / Mrs K. Heaton
Year 5 Teachers- Mrs M-M. Barrett/Mrs N. Rafferty
Year 6 Teacher- Mrs J. Wilson
SENCO- Mrs K. Heaton Back to top
Mission Statement
Sacred Heart School is a Catholic Primary (Voluntary Aided) co-educational school catering for children between the age of four + and eleven years.We aim to create a child-centred caring Christian community in which each child will feel valued, confident and secure.
Our aim is that in this environment of trust, openness and respect, loving relationships between the children and all members of the school community will be encouraged. In this way we will reflect Jesus' commandment
"Love one another as I have loved you"
John 13:34 Back to top
Our Vision Statement
The school seeks to enable pupils of all abilities, irrespective of gender, class, cultural background and ethnic origin, to realise their full potential.Religious education in a Catholic school is not one subject among many but the formation of the entire education process. The beliefs and values it communicates, inspire and unify every aspect of school life. It provides the context to substantially shape the school curriculum and offers living experience of the life of faith in its practical expression.
Our aim is to provide:
the experience of a range of curriculum disciplines linked with the National Curriculum to ensure all pupils achieve success and experience enjoyment in their achievements
the development of lively enquiring minds, the ability to question and argue rationally, the capacity for creativity and enterprise, a facility in physical skills and the discipline and self confidence necessary to apply these qualities effectively
the development of respect for others and empathy with those from other races, religions and ways of life, and the ability to live harmoniously
an understanding of their world and the interdependence of individuals, groups and nations
the development of our school as an effective learning community is promoted by providing strong leadership with a clear sense of direction
systems and procedures in place to enable the school to be managed with maximum efficiency
appropriate management of resources and finances in order to ensure good value for money
a learning environment which is well resourced and organised
a safe and secure school environment which is well cared for and respected by all who use it Back to top
Parent and School Partnership
Our aim is that home, school and church work together in partnership as educators of the children. To enable this to happen parents are invited to attend open sessions to share information which includes open sessions with parents to share information, curriculum organisation and workshops and to discuss children's progress.We recognise the vast contribution parents make at all stages in their children's development. Families and parishioners are encouraged to come into school to help. There are many ways adults can become involved including covering books, making teaching materials, craft, cooking, play activities, Fun Friday activities, telling stories or reading to small groups and helping with library and educational visits.
In line with current legislation, all adults helping in school on a regular basis are required to undertake a check by the Criminal Record Bureau.
We greatly value contributions from adults sharing their experiences, strengths and skills to enrich the education of our children.
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School is a Church aided school in the Diocese of Hallam and is maintained by Sheffield LA. This means that the members of the Parish and the Diocese of Hallam have contributed towards the cost of building the school and continue to care for its buildings and its people.
Catholic schools are 'voluntary aided'. Governing bodies obtain grant aid from the Government to pay for repairs to the external fabric of the school buildings and improvements. However, the grant-aid can only meet 90% of the cost of the work. The Governors of the schools have to find the remaining 10% of these costs! The building fund exists to help Governors fund improvement to our schools.
PARENT TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION
Parents are invited to join and support our active Association who arrange social and fund raising events. The funds raised help us buy books, computers, technology equipment and materials to stimulate children's learning and meet the needs of the National Curriculum.
DIOCESAN SCHOOLS' BUILDING FUND
Bishop John has asked that Governors set up a Maintenance Fund to which families are asked to contribute. Each school year parents are expected to pay an annual amount. This year parents have been asked to pay £12 per child (£20 per family for those with two or more children). If you are a tax payer you can donate more money at no extra cost to yourself by making your donation a 'Gift Aid'. This requires you to complete a declaration form that then allows us to claim back the tax. Without such a fund we will not be able to continue to afford major repairs, improvements and refurbishments to our school. Back to top
Admission Arrangements
The school provides distinctive Christ centred, Catholic education for children aged 4+ to 11+ years, with priority being given to children who live and worship within the parish of Sacred Heart. As a Voluntary Aided School, the Governing Body is responsible for admissions, working in partnership with Sheffield Children and Young Persons Directorate to provide a co-ordinated Admissions Programme. It is guided by the requirements of law, by advice from the Diocesan Trustees and its duty to the Catholic community and the Common Good.Our admission number is 30.
STARTING SCHOOL
We work closely with parents to ensure that transition into the Reception class is as smooth as possible and have a well established Transition Programme in place.
GETTING CHILDREN READY FOR TRANSFER
We take good care to make the transition as effective as possible. Our children come from a wide variety of pre-school experiences - some from home, some from a number of different pre-schools and nurseries. We arrange for the children to be invited to make short visits to the Reception class prior to starting to familiarise themselves with their classroom and new surroundings.
Home visits are made by the Reception Staff in order for them to meet each child in their own surroundings. These home visits assist the process of settling children into school. It is another opportunity for parents to discuss entry to school and raise any concerns that they may have.
There are two programmes for entry into Reception Class.
5th birthday falls Admission to school during
1st September - 28th February September
1st March - 31st August January
Part-time Programme
We also offer a part time programme for those children whose 5th birthday falls between 1st March and 31st August. The programme begins after the Autumn Term half-term holiday and offers a staggered entry on a part time basis. It is to cater for children attending playgroups or coming from home. This programme does not automatically apply to children attending a Nursery school or Nursery class. If your child attends a Nursery, please discuss entry arrangements with the Nursery and Sacred Heart School staff.
Transition to Comprehensive School:
There are two Catholic Comprehensive Schools in Sheffield - Notre Dame and All Saints. The Sacred Heart School is a feeder School for Notre Dame and as such any baptised Catholic children attending the School will be given priority at Notre Dame. Parents of non-catholic children should be aware there is no automatic place for non-catholic children at Notre Dame School. All parents will be required to make application to Notre Dame School according to the admissions policy of that school. Information is normally sent out to pupils when they are in Year 5. Information for the parents of Y6 pupils, including the school prospectus and application form, is distributed during the Autumn Term.
SCHOOL ORGANISATION
Sacred Heart School expect that 210 children will be on roll.
The school is organised into three educational stages, within which the children are organised into seven classes - one for each year group
Foundation Stage
Reception Year
(Foundation 2)
Key Stage One
Year 1
Year 2
Key Stage Two
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 work in the main building. Years 5 and 6 are in mobile classrooms near the church. Back to top
School Curriculum
Curriculum Organisation/ContentThe School offers a broad balanced curriculum and it seeks to cater for the needs of the individual child at the different stages of his/her development. The Curriculum offered is intended to enlarge children's knowledge, introduce them to a wide range of educational experiences and develop skills needed to deal critically and creatively with the world. All activities offered observe the principle of breadth, balance, continuity, progression, relevance, special needs and equality of opportunity.
FOUNDATION STAGE
The Foundation Stage provides educational experiences through which pupils work towards the Early Learning Goals. The areas of Learning and Experience are:
æ Personal, social and emotional development ? this area of learning is about emotional wellbeing, knowing who you are and where you fit in and feeling good about yourself. It is also about developing respect for others, social competence and a positive disposition to learn.
æ Communication, language and literacy - the development and use of communication and language is at the heart of young children's learning. Learning to listen and speak emerge out of non verbal communication which includes body language and taking turns. These skills develop as children express their needs and feelings, interact with others and establish their own identities and personalities.
æ Problem solving and reasoning with numbers - Mathematical development depends on becoming confident and competent in learning and using key skills. This area of learning includes counting, sorting, matching, seeking patterns, making connections, recognising relationships and working with numbers, shapes, space and measures.
æ Knowledge and understanding of the world - in this area of learning, children are developing the crucial knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. This forms a foundation for later work in science, design and technology, history, geography and information and communication technology (ICT).
æ Physical development - young children's physical development is inseparable from all other aspects of development because they learn through being active and interactive. Young children use all their senses to learn about the world around them and make connections between new information and what they already know.
æ Creative development - creativity is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative enables children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extend their understanding. This area of learning includes art, music, dance, roll play and imaginative play.
Your child will be assessed against progress towards the Early Learning Goals during his/her year in Reception.
KEY STAGE ONE AND KEY STAGE TWO
Subjects offered include all National Curriculum and Core Subjects.
Core Subjects Religious Education, English, Information & Communication Technology, Mathematics, Science
Other Foundation Subjects Art, Design Technology, Geography, History, Music, Personal, Social
and Social Education, Physical Education.
Topics are planned half-termly in areas including History and Geography collaboratively so that all National Curriculum Attainment Targets, in all subjects are covered.
Emphasis is placed on learning through first hand experience. A wide use is made of community and local urban and environmental facilities to stimulate and extend children's learning. Use is made of private and public transport to take children further afield to places of interest, which support their learning and topic work.
It is our policy to take the children on residential visits in Key Stage Two (dependent upon staff availability). The venue will be chosen to give the children experiences that are both educational and social.
All National Curriculum documents and School Policies are available in school for parents to read. Class newsletters are sent out to parents containing details about each term's curriculum. Back to top
Religious Education
'Catholics believe that Religious Education is not one subject amongst many, but the foundation of the entire education process. The beliefs and values it communicates should inspire and unify every aspect of school life.' (Bishops conference of England and Wales)Aims for our school:
* to promote a curriculum which takes account of the spiritual and moral development of every individual
* to ensure that each child begins to understand that Christ is in them
* to foster prayer and liturgical celebration in the life of the school and in each individual child
* to foster closer relationships between children and all members of the school community
* to support home and parish in their work to develop faith in each child
* to foster respect, understanding and tolerance between all the cultures and traditions represented not only in the school or its immediate environment but in the Country as a whole
* to relate other areas of the curriculum to our faith
* to develop an understanding of our world and the inter-dependence of individuals, groups and nations
To fulfil our aims and objectives we follow the National Curriculum directory and the 'Here I Am' RE programme.
Worship and liturgy will take the form of -
Quiet times of prayer and reflection - at the beginning and end of each day, and before and after meals.
Assemblies /Liturgies- held each week may be lead by teachers, Headteacher, the children,
Parish Priest, C of E Vicar and specially invited visitors.
The Eucharist - there will be whole school celebration Masses each term and all children will attend Mass to celebrate special feast days in the churches calendar. Key Stage 2 classes will also plan and celebrate their own class Masses each term, relating to their R.E. topic and plan voluntary midday Masses on Wednesdays during Lent.
- Church visits for infants are arranged to introduce children to the church
environment, and familiarises them with church practices.
First Communion The pupils in Y3 class are prepared through a Parish based First Communion
Programme led by Fr. S. Smith.
Residential Trips Parents will be informed if the Eucharist is to be celebrated on weekend
residential visits. If it is not then it is the responsibility of the parents of
each individual child to make sure they attend Sunday Mass. Back to top
Sex Education
The school has developed a sex education policy with the help of Hallam Diocese and the School Nurse. The foundations of sex education are laid for its subsequent treatment in Secondary School. This is done through Topics - Infants "Ourselves" and Juniors "My Body Project" - and experiences which emphasise themes such as love, concern, respect for others and family life.There is an annual meeting for Y5 parents to view resources including the video 'Growing Up' with school staff. Parents are reminded that parents can withdraw their children from all or part of sex education provided except that which is required as part of National Curriculum Science. Back to top
Extra Curricular Activities
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIESThere are a variety of clubs to encourage our children to explore and develop their interests in areas such as music, sport, computer studies, art, maths. These are run either at lunchtime or after school under the supervision of teachers. Further clubs are offered through sports associations. After school and holiday provision is available through our partnership with the Burton Street Project.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
The School Council is made up of pupils from throughout the school. Each class elects children to represent them for one year. The council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by children and contributes to matters of school improvement. The School Council also greets official visitors, represents the school at other functions, organises fund-raising and enjoyable events for all the children.
FUN FRIDAY
On Friday afternoons, as a reward for good behaviour and good work, the children choose an activity and work in mixed age groups. All members of staff offer an activity. These regularly change, but have included modern foreign languages, crafts, gardening, sports, CAFOD, music and Bikeability to name but a few. Back to top