 |
St.
Luke's CE Halsall Primary School |
|
Hello and welcome to the home of St. Luke's Halsall on the web. Thank you for taking the time to view our web site. ‘Inspiring lives, building futures, together with Jesus’ |
|
|
About our School: |
|
A Message from the Headteacher Thank you for taking the time to look around our website. Here at St. Luke's Halsall we try to look at things from the children's point of view. We want them to be happy coming to school, to enjoy their learning and to achieve the very best they can in all areas of school life. We set challenging targets for children and staff in a secure and supportive environment. As a Church of England School, with strong links to the church, we see ourselves as an active Christian community where everyone, staff, governors and parents share our vision and try to live by the gospel values. We treat everyone with respect and set high expectations for appropriate behaviour. We invite all parents to take an active part in their child's education and see the home-school partnership as vital to our success. We provide excellent teaching, active learning and an attractive, stimulating environment. In return we expect a commitment from you to support the school in what we are trying to achieve for your child.
Sue Kerwin Headteacher
A brief history
People often ask about the origin of the school and its name. The story begins in 1758 when the first school for girls was established in this area. It was known as the Mistress' or Girls' school and was set up as a result of the will of Miss Catherine Halsall. She was the sister of Rev. Anthony Halsall, who was the Headmaster at the Merchant Taylor's School from 1730 - 1755. Their memorial stone can be found on the south wall of the chancel at Sefton Church in Lunt.
Around 1820, the school catered for infant boys and girls up to the age of 14. The girls were taught reading, knitting, and sewing. In 1850, the old Crosby chapel of St Michael was demolished and replaced by a new St Luke's Church. St Luke's Boys School was built on the site of the old chapel in 1871.
In 1933 the Halsall school stopped catering for senior girls, and boys were transferred to St Luke's Boys School at the end of the infant stage of their education.
The 214 year tradition of a Halsall girls school ended in 1972. The oldest unbroken education to girls in Lancashire was over, and the Halsall school was re-registered as a Mixed Primary School, with boys from St Luke's Boys School joining the new St Luke's Halsall Primary School in year groups.
1991 - 1993 saw major redevelopments at the school. A new hall, four junior classrooms, a library, a resource area, cloakrooms and infant classes saw us with virtually a new building. Since then more extensions have been made, adding two more classrooms, and developing a new ICT suite.
2008 has also seen big changes for our school. A brand new Foundation Stage has been built, creating three large classrooms and spacious work areas. This will hopefully be followed next year by a redevelopment of the original Halsall building, into a bright and welcoming main entrance, with offices for admin staff and the headteacher, and a community room, especially for our Happy Club at breakfast and after school.
Our Philosophy ‘Inspiring lives, building futures, together with Jesus.’ Our Mission Statement and Logo represent the philosophy of the school: The children are at the centre of everything we do. The hands represent everyone who looks after the children. The hands are in a prayerful position and represent God's presence, and His love for all. The book represents knowledge and learning and of course, is God's Word and His Guidance. AIMS With the support of the Governors, Headteacher, teaching staff, non teaching staff, the LA, the Church and parents, St Luke’s aims to provide each child with: i) a stimulating and challenging learning environment ii) quality teaching iv) the opportunity to reach his/her full potential Admissions The Governors admit thirty pupils to Reception each year. When there are more applications than there are places available the Governors will admit pupils according to the following criteria, which are set out in order of priority below.
1) Children in Public Care.
2) Children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs where admission to the school might best help satisfy those exceptional needs, providing that such an application is submitted with appropriate evidence or reports from a doctor or social worker.
3) Siblings (pupils with older brothers or sisters already attending the preferred school and expected to continue at the school in the following year. This includes full, half or step brothers or sisters and foster brothers and sisters who are living at the same address as part of the same family unit.
The remainder of places after categories 1, 2, and 3 have been filled will then be divided between categories 4 and 5. Category 4 will have up to a maximum of two-thirds of the remaining places.
4) Children whose family is a) at the heart of St. Luke’s Church, b) attached to St. Luke’s Church c) attached to another Christian Church d) known to St. Luke’s Church
5) Children who live closest to the school. This will be measured (from the front door of the child’s permanent residence to the main entrance of the school), as the crow flies in accordance with Sefton’s current practice.
Extended Schools A regular programme of lunchtime and after school clubs is available for children as they move through the school. Activities that take place throughout the year include Football, Netball, Cross-Country, Athletics, Chess, Judo, Drama, Art and Gym clubs. Parents are welcome to assist and lend expertise to any of the clubs after having completed a satisfactory check by the Criminal Records Bureau. Happy Club St. Luke’s has a breakfast and after school club each day where children are welcomed with breakfast and tea. It is organised and run by two experienced staff and games and activities are available for the children. There is a small charge for this service. Religious Education & Collective Worship We aim to give the children an understanding of Christianity: its principles and practice. The children will be supported to reflect upon, develop and affirm their own beliefs, values and attitudes through the exploration of shared human experiences and of the place and importance of religion in the modern world. Children will be encouraged to develop their sense of self esteem, respect, understanding and tolerance so that they may become positive members of the community. There is a daily Act of Collective Worship. Parents may withdraw their children from collective worship on religious grounds. Special Educational Needs Pupils who need extra help in any areas of the curriculum are catered for in small groups according to their needs and given extra assistance from the Special Needs Support Service, and the teacher responsible for SENS in the school. Parents are kept fully informed of developments and meetings are arranged so that we can work together to overcome any problems. Many children in school have individual needs and require help and challenges appropriate to their level of development and ability. All class teachers monitor their pupils carefully and if they have any cause for concern they bring this to the attention of the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and the Headteacher via the requirements of the Code of Practice recommendations.
|
|
I
operate an open door policy and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate the
high quality education on offer to visitors. If you have any further
questions or would like to view the school please feel free to contact us.