St Dominics Priory Booklet - 2015

21 Station Road, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8EN An Independent School and Nursery.T: +44 (0)1785 814181 Email: [email protected] www.stdominicspriory.co.uk Registered Charity Number: 1141147

‘Where imagination WELCOME TO This prospectus provides a glimpsegrows and minds ST DOMINIC’S PRIORY SCHOOL of school life. For more informationsharpen.’ please visit: St. Dominic’s Priory School is a highly successful Catholic independent Nursery, Prep and Senior school. www.stdominicspriory.co.uk We are proud of our reputation for academic achievement. Better still, come and experience the High quality teaching and small classes create an environment joy of being here at St. Dominic’s Priory in which true potential can be maximised at all times. School for yourself. Traditional values matter and it is only when walking through the school that you can truly appreciate what is so special about it. We excel in the Creative and Performing Arts and the busy programme of sport, cultural events, visits and activities ensures that there is something for everyone at St Dominic’s. Students leave with self-confidence and friends for life. I look forward to sharing our school with you. Headteacher

‘We give them the AIMS & ETHOS towa‘ttCCcTooaupnehihllpltkpdltieeehuolrabdacCCttarorsroarhubretcvnaeheluwshiolliklnttigeeudntoaiuliahabodatobedhirrnkrbrteloatenaaaieesshouvesntcruueotpaisetbaaaoi.ftlbhc’rdtrgankncfhoato-eceefseghuevaaoemsseIeoptetdiswSiiaftfliovrtg-ahunIcoifhafboced.fplde’laoaeslaeespty-dixcwrpsiaotfehvtOamhrnrwoidraoirtd.pda’feulmeoeesspe-vn-ertnrpdcoeflettOidadrudrswmustorti.irvicfufmeoeiestfainsrtncesnseltrutiiddaidtstetloi.niiavtfenmoftirsesristentotconfidence to believein themselves.’ Life is a journey, and every journey has a beginning. We aim to give each child the best possible start and give them the confidence to believe in themselves. We promote a sense of personal responsibility based on the values of truth, justice, compassion, partnership and community. St. Dominic’s welcomes children of all faiths and ethnic origins, and endeavours to ensure that the cultural and religious differences within our school community are recognised and respected. EDUCATING THE WHOLE PERSON Children need a wide variety of interests and challenges to complement their academic studies. Throughout the school, pupils are encouraged to explore their interests both inside and outside the classroom. A wide range of clubs and activities supporting both curricular and non-curricular subjects means that there is something for everyone.

‘We encourage the NURTURING THE INDIVIDUAL c‘eltcCCAeooxuaehttcCCnelaolluptrimeeehtullnloablrkldtierespriiurlreaibbdnanalertsrrabrnutiegnataievsro.atont’bhyeeutainka-ooatbheacsvuknvIloattaopeaetshStuvfllisteopgIuaettsfhifolsuceartgaeroesfhdobotcefdweiaaoeseolvtydniowimiaattdvpdhotnloieaspod.pdbrp’lsofesptpaer-rwrpuoohfrutOarurmewdoarortnrnyfpuvmeolstidndroitnsatoeli.tsiidvdnfdseeutfii.sfidevsrfeurifisetelsrnitteotntotchildren to explore talk about their faith.’ - Ofstedtheir interests.’ One of the strengths of our small community is that each and every pupil has a voice. There is a strong family atmosphere and a spirit of collaboration is promoted throughout the school. Happiness is the key to effective learning. By ensuring that each child is known, respected and cared for, we identify the unique needs of the individual and respond accordingly. Investing time and individual attention in all our pupils helps them to develop into confident, self assured individuals who show respect for others and earn respect for themselves. SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN In partnership with ‘Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board’. St. Dominic’s Priory School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Parents can feel confident that careful procedures are in place to ensure that all staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children. Staff hope that parents and children will feel free to talk about any concerns or worries which may affect educational progress and that they will see the school as a safe place. Children will be taken seriously if they seek help from a member of staff. Parents will normally be consulted and their consent obtained before any referral is made to an agency outside the school under local “children in need” procedures. However, staff cannot guarantee to consult parents first, or to keep children’s concerns confidential, if referral must be made to the appropriate agencies in order to safeguard the child’s welfare. For more information on the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board, please visit www.staffsscb.org.uk

‘We give children APPLICATION PROCESS ‘CThhieldsrcehnoohlahveasgoaodstroopnpgorsteunnseitioefsthe opportunity to tco mleamrnunaibtoyuatntdhefawmidielyr.’wo-rlIdS.Ilearn about the wider Nursery Celebrations of festivals from differentworld.’ There is no formal assessment for entry to the Nursery. cultures take place and parents visit to Boys and girls can join us from the age of 3 months. Parents talk about their faith.’ - Ofsted considering a Nursery place should complete an application form and return it to the School Office. Parents are welcome to visit the Nursery and meet with staff before submitting an application form. In the September following their fourth birthday, boys and girls can transfer to the Reception class in the Prep School. The Prep Department Admission is by assessment and interview. Applicants are welcome at any point during the academic year. The Seniors Application by assessment and interview; main entry points are 11+ and 13+ and VI Form although applicants are welcome in to all years at any point during the academic year. Entrance at 11+ and 13+ Prospective Senior pupils are eligible to take the entrance examination which is held in November. However, assessments can be arranged at any point. The examination comprises papers in English and Mathematics, and also assessment of reasoning skills is also undertaken. No specific coaching is necessary for these tests, a sample paper can be requested by contacting the School Office. For all application enquiries please contact the school office on +44 (0)1785 814181 or email [email protected]

HOW TO FIND US St. Dominic’s Priory School is located in the beautiful market town of Stone in Staffordshire. The town provides a secure environment while also offering a range of activities and a bustling market town atmosphere. Stone is situated in Staffordshire, Mid England with good access via a number of travel options, to the rest of the UK and internationally. The School is located within 5 minutes walk of Stone railway station with good links to other towns and cities in the UK. Manchester and Birmingham city centres are less than an hour away and direct trains to London Euston, take 2 hours. Local bus services to Stafford, Stoke, Leek, Newcastle-under-Lyme are available from Stone.‘Friendly atmosphere Children have good opportunitiesand all pupils are to learn about the wider world.encouraged to develop Celebrations of festivals from differenttheir understanding of cultures take place and parents visit toothers.’ talk about their faith.’ - Ofsted