Our School
Our School
Hello and Welcome!
I am Miss Deakin, Headteacher of St Francis’ School.
At St.Francis’ we work together as co- creators with God, recognising and developing each other’s unique gifts and personalities.
We have so many wonderful things to tell you about but we welcome you to visit the school to see for yourself. ‘St.Francis’ is a caring community with a real buzz of excitement’ (parent of Year 6 child). We have so many enrichment activities for the children both inside and outside of the curriculum. It really is our aim to develop the whole child and give them every opportunity to shine in a variety of ways. We want our children to be excited every morning on coming to school-I know the staff certainly are! We have worked hard to create a stimulating learning environment where children take ownership of their learning and know exactly how to move their learning on.
God speaks to us through Jesus. He wants us to have life in all its fullness. We encourage our children and community to grow in love and understanding of God, God’s people and God’s world and motivate them to help those in need and care for each other, as Jesus Christ taught us to. We foster a dynamic interaction between home, parish and school to provide a happy, caring community in which everyone is valued and included. We support parents as educators of faith.
Our Catholic school ethos is an outward representation of our vision where the Gospel is alive and underpins all aspects of daily school life. We want all of our children to know that they are loved by God and to love God, themselves and each other. We encourage our children to be resilient, caring and considerate, thus fully equipped with the life skills and love of learning to prepare them well for life within and beyond our school.
We see the beauty in everything as we grow together and appreciate our wonderful gifts and talents. We nurture children’s gifts and work hard to know and understand each individual child’s interests and needs. We search for excellence because our children deserve the very best all round education to develop emotionally, socially, spiritually and academically. We always try our best.
We are fortunate to be collaborated with St.Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Claughton and, as two small schools, we do many exciting things together. Have a look at our website, where you will get a feel of what life is like in our school.
We look forward to giving you a warm welcome!
Visits are welcome any time by appointment. Please do not hesitate in contacting us should you require further information.
Requests for paper copies
If you request a paper copy of the information on our school website, this will be provided free of charge.
School Day
Nursery & Pre-School
- Full Day 9:00am – 3:30pm
Main School (gates open from 8:40am)
- Reception & Key Stage 1- 8:45am – 3:15pm (32.5 hours)
- Key Stage 2 8:45am – 3:30pm (32.75 hours)
Break Time daily:
- 10:15am – 10:30am for Reception & KS1
- 10:30am – 10:45am for KS2
Teachers may decide to have an optional afternoon break time.
Lunch Time daily:
- 11:50am – 1:00pm for Reception & KS1
- 12:00pm – 1:10pm for KS2
School Uniform
It is important that children pride in their appearance. Our school uniform has a personal meaning for the children. Our school colours are brown and green. The brown skirts, pinafore dresses and trousers were chosen in honour of St. Francis, our patron. The green jumpers and cardigans represent the hill on which we stand and the nature that surrounds us.
Introduction
We must always pride ourselves in being smart, well presented and ready for learning. This not only helps our children to feel part of our school community, but it also prepares our children for responsibilities and life beyond our school.
It is our school policy that all children wear school uniform when attending school, or when participating in school-organised events outside normal school hours. We ask children to wear their shirts tucked into their skirts, shorts or trousers and to take a pride in their personal appearance.
Children come into school wearing PE kits on their designated PE days in order to enjoy full PE lessons. If you are ever unsure, please do not hesitate in contacting Mrs Nuttall, our bursar.
Aims and Objectives
Our policy on school uniform is based on the belief that we are pleased to wear a uniform that:
- Promotes a sense of pride in our school.
- Helps to create a sense of community and belonging towards the school.
- Identifies pupils with the school.
- Does not segregate children.
- Supports the school’s commitment to inclusion.
- Prevents pupils from wearing ‘fashion clothes’ that could be distracting in class or cause upset to others.
- Is practical, smart, and designed with health and safety in mind.
- Is considered to be good value for money.
Jewellery, Hair, Make-up and Nail Varnish
For many reasons, including safety, we do not allow children to wear jewellery. The only exception to this rule is when a child can wear a small stud earring (no hoops). Please ensure stud earrings are removed on PE days. Taping earrings is not recommended, if earrings are taped because earrings are newly put in, this must be done by parents before the children come into school. Staff cannot add tape to children’s ears.
Make up and nail varnish should not be worn to school.
Extreme hairstyles are not appropriate for school. The use of styling products should be kept to a minimum and children should not have decorative patterns cut into their hair or have hair coloured or dyed. Please keep hair bobbles or headbands to a sensible minimum.
Footwear
For health and safety reasons, we do not allow children to wear shoes with platform soles or high heels. All children are required to wear plain black shoes without logos that are comfortable and practical.
The Role of Parents
We believe that one of the responsibilities of parents is to ensure that their child has the correct uniform and PE kit, and that it is clean, in good repair and that clothes are named. If a parent has difficulties for any reason with fulfilling this request they are asked to speak confidentially to a member of staff to discuss the issues. Any matters will be handled with discretion and our full support. We are always here to help.
We welcome children from all backgrounds and faith communities. If there are serious reasons, for example on religious grounds, why parents want their child to wear clothes that differ from the school uniform, the Uniform Policy will consider such requests sympathetically. If any parent would like to request an exception to the uniform policy they should, in the first instance, contact our school office.
Summer Uniform (Summer Term)
In summer, pale green gingham dresses for the girls and short brown trousers with white polo shirts for the boys may be worn. All uniform is available from Mary Frances, Derby Road, Longridge, or apart from the summer dresses which are available from all local supermarkets. Please note shorts, trousers, skirts, pinafores, polo shirts, socks and tights can all be purchased from local supermarket or may be found at local second hand shops.
Winter Uniform (Autumn – Spring Term)
To be worn until after the Easter holiday.
In winter, our uniform consists of brown trousers (for Girls and Boys), skirt or pinafore, white polo shirt and green jumper or cardigan. All are available from Mary Frances, Longridge. Please note shorts, trousers, skirts, pinafores, polo shirts, socks and tights can all be purchased from local supermarket or may be found at local second hand shops.
What Uniform Needs the Logo?
- The green school jumper is item that must have the school logo on it. Polo shirts are sold with the school logo from Mary Frances, but this is not compulsory.
- PE Kit.
- PE kits must be worn on PE days. All children wear a green tracksuit with green shorts and a white polo shirt. Tracksuits and shorts are available from Mary Frances only.
- Socks: white, black or brown.
- Tights: green, black or brown.