Our School

HIGH STREET, CARISBROOKE, ISLE OF WIGHT P030 1NR

TEL: 01983 522747 FAX: 01983 521050

Everyone at St Thomas of Canterbury will work hard to ensure your child’s first experience of school is a happy and rewarding one.

Thank you for considering St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School for your child.

CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS

Mr Brian Yelland

HEADTEACHER

Mrs L M Fairhurst

PARISH PRIEST

Father Bruce Barnes

MISSION STATEMENT

‘Love, respect, trust, hope and justice’

Together with our families, parish and the wider community,

we teach children to do their best in all ways

by developing their gifts and talents.

We do this through Christ’’s teaching of

love, respect, trust, hope and justice.

St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School

St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School is a co-educational Catholic Aided Primary School, (four to nine years), within the Comprehensive system of education on the Island. The school is arranged into five classes, with one year group in each class. All classes have between 15 and 30 pupils.

The present buildings were built in June 1964 and opened on this pleasant site just off of the High Street in Carisbrooke. The building comprises of three classrooms to the east of a large hall and two classrooms to the west. There is a new designated library and computer suite area which was completed in 2003. The School has its own kitchen. Outside there is a large playing field as well as a playground. There are ongoing plans to improve the school grounds and buildings and it is hoped that a new early years block will be added to the school within the next three years.

The School is owned and promoted by the Portsmouth Catholic Diocesan Trustees.

The School is governed by the School Governors under an Instrument of Government by which the ‘Foundation Governors’, (at least two of whom should be parents), are appointed by the Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth. There are also Governors representing the Local Education Authority, staff and parents.

The Governors, together with the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth are responsible for most improvements and extensions to the building. The school asks parents to make a contribution each term, (suggested amount £5), to the Bishop’s new Diocesan Building Fund, to help ensure the costs of improvements will always be met. There are termly letters about the Building Fund and you are always welcome to contact the Governors or the Headteacher if you have any questions about the Fund.

The Governors appoint a Head Teacher and the Staff and control the admission of pupils in accordance with a policy agreed with the Local Education Authority and the Diocese. The Head Teacher is answerable to the Governors. On any major matter the Governors consider the views of the Local Education Authority, who are ultimately responsible for the provision of education throughout the Island.

In practice, responsibilities overlap; the effective working of the School depends on the co-operation and mutual respect of all the parties involved.

The most important single factor in its existence as a Catholic School, and in the ability of the Staff to make the best of the resources provided, is the support of the parents. Education involves home and school; it is essential that they should work together and we appreciate everything that our parents do to support this partnership. In line with this ethos we have drawn up a ‘Home School Agreement’ document which is given to all families at the beginning of each year. Further copies can be obtained from the school office. The Agreement is reviewed annually and parents and pupils are invited to be involved in the process.

HOW WE MEASURE UP!

High Standards Earn Praise from Ofsted For Pupils and Staff

Staff and pupils at St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, Carisbrooke, have come in for praise from the Government's Ofsted inspector.

Staff were described as committed and hardworking and pupils were said to be attentive and well behaved.

Educational standards in all subjects were found to be consistent with the national average, and in most subjects were higher than the national average, particularly in design and technology, music and physical education.

The report described a clear educational direction being developed by the headteacher and governing body, while pastoral strengths were protected.

In 60 percent of lessons the quality of teaching was said to be good or very good, with the remainder being at least satisfactory.

Literacy and Numeracy skills were taught daily to pupils. close attention to individual education plans and good deployment of support staff had resulted in good teaching for pupils with special educational needs.

Sporting and extra-curricular activities were described as excellent.

Both the Ofsted inspectors and the Diocese of Portsmouth found that St. Thomas's mad good provision for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of their pupils, with opportunities provided to enable pupils to develop their understanding of the Catholic faith.

The school also has links with other faith communities, which enable pupils to understand and value the different cultural traditions.

Headteacher, Mrs. Christine Thompson said: "Both reports reflect the dedication and commitment of the staff. They confirm that this is a good school that gives good value for money."

She said that the school was open to Catholics and non-Catholics.

(By Kind permission of THE COUNTY PRESS)

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