ST THOMAS MORE R.C FIRST SCHOOL

DESCRIPTION

St Thomas More Catholic First School opened in 1976 to serve the needs of our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish when Redditch extended as a NewTown. The single storey, semi-open plan building incorporates a Mass Centre with Parish rooms and a large car park. The School grounds comprise playground, lawns and a playing field.

The Catholic Pyramid

The School forms part of the Bromsgrove and Redditch Catholic Partnership of Schools. . These links are by regular meetings and visits by each Schools' staff and Governors. There are good local facilities including the Leys Swimming Pool and Woodrow Learner Pool, which are situated within walking distance of the School. There is also a local Library close to the School and a variety of amenities.St Thomas More School became a self-governing, Grant Maintained School in January 1997.

Curriculum Policy Statement

The children follow all work set out in the National Curriculum, following the guidance of Hereford and Worcester Curriculum Policy Statement, set within the context of a Catholic School. The Governors' Curriculum Policy has been developed according to the needs of our children and follows Hereford and Worcester County Council's guidelines set within the context of a Catholic partnership. A great emphasis is placed upon the basic skills of language, reading, writing and maths. A variety of teaching methods have been adopted and developed to stimulate all children with the desire to learn. The curriculum is kept under constant review and any necessary amendments which will benefit our children are made. The Governors' main aim is to ensure that the children receive the best opportunities.

Religious Education

Teaching is Veritas RE Programme. As a Catholic School, the basic religious ethos is to be found across the whole curriculum and not just within the RE timetable. The whole aim of the School is the Christian growth of the children, not simply their growth in their faith but their growing awareness of the world as they develop and mature.

Sacraments

Children are prepared for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist during the year in which they reach their eighth birthday .Mass is celebrated regularly in School. Parents are all very welcome to join us and come to the Class celebrations, Prayer Services and Mass on Holy Days of Obligation at 9.15 am. Assemblies take place each day either in Class, Key Stages or the whole School. Our School Chaplain visits the classes in addition to celebrating Mass in School. He is readily and sympathetically available to meet you either at School or in your home. We have excellent links with the Parish of Mount Carmel.