We do not have an entrance examination for our children entering primary schooling. We feel very strongly that all children should be given a chance to develop at their own pace and should not be tested for ability at this stage. We select our students through an interview process with the Head master and behaviour reports.
Our class sizes are small and therefore our places are highly selective.
Standards and expectations are high at St. Crispin’s and a hard-working ethos is expected. St Crispin’s follows the National Curriculum for Small schools and children receive a broad and balanced education. The emphasis is on all children achieving their true potential and every effort is made to ensure that quality learning takes place.
Strong emphasis is placed on reading and children are encouraged to read daily to an adult whenever possible. Our places are awarded primarily on a first come, first served basis, subject to academic and behavioural reference or report; with priority given to those with siblings already in school.
Infants – Year 1 and 2
A structured timetable of 50 minute lessons is followed with individual records continued from Foundation Level for each child under the guidance of the core-subject teacher and assistants. Children follow the work outlined in the National Curriculum; this covers all Key Stage 1 work, resulting in the National Curriculum Tests assessment at the end of Year 2.
Our Year 1 children take the Phonic Test introduced by the Government in 2013.
Topic work for Science, History, Geography Art and Design, Craft, Games, Singing, French, Music and Movement, Health and Fitness, ICT together with Physical Education. Our students are introduced to the school timetable with a large proportion of lessons being taught by our whole school teachers. This uses their expert knowledge as well as a vast supply of resources.
Children are encouraged to better themselves rather than competing against others.
Homework is set for children using an “opt in opt out”; as we value parents having some quality play time with their young children.
There is a full programme of physical exercise for our Infant children, this ranges from music and movement, agility and fitness to initial teaching in games like football, cricket and tennis. Our experienced, qualified Physical Education staff runs an outstanding sports development session, with Early Years Team on hand for support.
‘They (pupils) achieve well against national expectations at the end of Key Stage 1’
-www.ofsted.gov.uk, 2009 16
Junior School – Year 3 to 6
The timetable of the day is well structured and the children have access to a full, varied and differentiated curriculum. Each child’s progress and national curriculum levels are carefully monitored. Weekly records are kept both in respect of the effort being made and the national curriculum level being achieved.
Year groups have a class teacher who is responsible for their academic achievement and well-being. Class teaching provides a quiet learning environment where the teacher can recognise the individual learning needs of each child.
The specialist teachers for French, English, Maths, RE, PSHE, Art and Design, History, Geography, ICT, Science, Physical Education, Health and fitness, Reading and spelling, Games and Music generally teach the children in the Junior School and this continues through to Senior School allowing for a continuum through to G.C.S.E. level with staff really knowing the children and their strengths and weaknesses, ensuring that children continue to make good progress.
Children benefit greatly from this and it allows for children’s studies to continue without the usual ‘catch up’ which often happens as children transfer from a junior school to a new secondary school.
A full sporting programme is available from Year 3 upwards with children visiting the local sports centres for indoor sports and swimming baths and tennis and athletics in the Summer Term. At least three sessions of sport take place each week and children swim all year round. Matches against other houses and other schools take place; and we have taken part in the ISI school Games, Leicestershire Area Athletics, Schools Biathlon, Leicester Schools Junior High Five League and the local Badminton tournaments, rugby, football and netball tournaments.
