St Mary's Catholic Primary School

St Mary’s was established in February 1895 and although there has been substantial building development since this time, we have managed to maintain the family ethos that the school is renowned for.

We are a one-form entry school for girls and boys aged between 3 and 11 years of age. Our nursery is split into a morning and afternoon session with a maximum of twenty children in each. Every other class has a maximum of 30 pupils.

St. Mary's is a Catholic school in the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Michael, within the Diocese of Westminster. We are heavily oversubscribed, especially since our most recent OFSTED inspection categorised us as 'OUTSTANDING' in every area and recently London Mayor, Boris Johnson, stated that St. Mary's was "an exceptional London school, achieving excellence, especially for disadvantaged students!"

In 2014 we were designated as a National Teaching School. Working collaboratively with our strategic partners we aim to share good practice and learn from each other.

Our aims are for :

• St. Mary’s to be a family with Jesus at the centre of everything we do
• All members of the community to be treated with respect and care
• Children to feel safe, happy and secure at St. Mary’s to enable them to learn
• Everyone in the community will have access to success
• The learning environment at St. Mary’s will enable all children to reach their full potential and use all their talents
• Everyone in the community of St. Mary’s will work together to support each other
• All members of our school have equal opportunities to learn, develop and grow with dignity in a community of mutual respect

We develop our pupil's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through our everyday teaching and whole school rules, routines and practice.

A range of extra curricular activities are offered at St. Mary's and all pupils are encouraged to take part.A considerable amount of time is spent in the Early Years setting on developing social skills and helping pupils to build good relationships.The children are actively encouraged to have a voice in school. Our pupil School Council meets termly, helping the children learn how they can actively influence decision making through a democratic process.

At St. Mary's Catholic School we believe that community links are essential in the growth, development and wellbeing of all our pupils. Links with our local community help us to build relationships with groups and individuals who will provide positive role models for our children.As a Catholic school we have strong links with our parish through our visits to Church and joint celebrations such as our Christmas Carol Service and Summer Fair.

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. We use the language of ‘Right Choice’ and ‘Wrong Choice’ across the school beginning in Lower Early Years. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety teaching, assemblies, Citizen Day for Year Six and workshops for children.

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School strives to educate all its pupils within an environment where the Catholic traditions of learning, truth, justice, respect and community are promoted. Consequently the overall aim of this policy is to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children in our care.

Part of our school ethos and Behaviour Policy has revolved around core values of our School Code such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Displays around the school promote respect for others and these values.