Loreto Prep Prospectus

LORETO PREPARATORY SCHOOL PROSPECTUS Dunham Road,Altrincham WA14 4GZ Tel: 0161 928 8310

A Word fromthe HeadThank you for viewing our prospectus.In this booklet we have outlined the main features of ourschool and curriculum, but a booklet can only give anoverview of our approach to education and cannot trulyencompass the living environment of a school.Having read about us, if you would like to learn more,please contact my secretary (0161 928 8310) and make anappointment for a personal tour of the school, or come alongto our next Open Morning (see website for details).Further information about the school may be found by visitingour website at www.loretoprep.org.uk.Helen Norwood BA (Hons) PGCEHeadteacher

Meeting the challengesand opportunities of achanging world...

FoundationLoreto Preparatory School is a Catholicindependent primary school for girls aged 3 to11 years, which is under the trusteeship of theLoreto Sisters.The Loreto Sisters are a worldwide network, withschools in most continents. The foundress of theorder was Mary Ward, a Yorkshire woman of greatvision who, in the late 16th century, believed in education for girls!Her teaching was based rmly on the Gospel values and she upheld theprinciples of Truth, Justice, Sincerity, Freedom, Joy, Internationality andExcellence which we recognise in our Mission Statement.Mission StatementAt Loreto Preparatory School we are eager and inspired to do our best,meeting the challenges and opportunities of a changing world with love inour hearts.We are called to be joyful and prayerful, living the Gospel and celebrating thevalues of Mary Ward with parents and our Loreto Community.“Women in time to come will do much.” Mary Ward

We are called to be joyfuland prayerful, living theGospel and celebratingthe values of Mary Ward.

GeographicalSituationThe school is close to the market town ofAltrincham and is easily reached by road or rail.On arrival, visitors to the school should enter bythe Main Entrance on the left hand side of the buildingand report to Reception. Car parking is available atthe front of the school building. Loreto Preparatory School

The school is close to the market town of Altrincham and is easily reached by road or rail.creative commons use:Goose Green - Altrincham, Cheshire - Anthony O'NeilAltrincham Old Market Place - Altrincham.Net

AdmissionsChildren may be admitted to the school after theirthird birthday, normally at the beginning of theschool year during which they will be four years old.Admission to the Early Years Foundation Stage andInfant Department is by interview.Admission to the Junior Department is by interview and assessment.Children who do not reach the required standard may be considered foradmission after consultation with the parents or guardians to ascertainwhether the school can fully support the needs of the child.Priority is given to children who are baptised in the Roman Catholic Faith.Children of other Christian denominations and children of other Faiths arealso welcome in Loreto Preparatory School.All children are required to follow the Religious Education Programme inthe school but, at the same time, appreciation, respect and tolerance ofother Faiths is exercised and encouraged.Children with a home language other than English are welcome in Loreto.We value this linguistic diversity and aim to provide opportunities for thesechildren to develop. The needs of the children and the ability of Loreto tomeet these needs will be discussed with parents before a place is offered.Children with Special Educational Needs are welcome in Loreto. Again theneeds of the child and the ability of the school to meet these needs will bediscussed with parents before a place is offered.There is one class for each year group.

Children with a homelanguage other than Englishare welcome in Loreto.We value this linguisticdiversity and aim to provideopportunities for thesechildren to develop.

CurriculumThe aim of Loreto Preparatory School is progress and give support where necessary.to provide a broad and balanced The results of these tests are reported tocurriculum to enable all our children to parents.reach their full potential.The curriculumwill give pupils experience in linguistic, Foundation Stagemathematical, scientific, technological,human and social, physical, aesthetic and Our Nursery is for children of three andcreative education. four years of age. They may attend part-time in the mornings or full-timeIn our school, academic excellence is over a choice of days. Our Early Yearshighly valued. Excellence is never an children have brought their unique charmaccident; it is the result of high and view of the world to our school.expectation, sincere effort, intelligentdirection and skilful execution. Itrepresents the wise choice of manyalternatives by Governors and Staff.Our teaching schemes have been carefully We are a partner in the Trafford Early Yearschosen and we liaise with the principal Partnership and as such children whopublishers of educational materials to attend our school are able to apply for theensure that our resources meet the Early Years funding which is currently15requirements of a modern, broad and hours free each week. The funding isbalanced curriculum. available to all children until the end of the term in which they attain the age of five.We formally assess the children eachterm, which allows us to monitor In the Early Years Foundation Stage (which includes our Reception class) the children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Our active approach to the teaching of phonics and mathematics combines to give the children an excellent start in literacy and numeracy.

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CurriculumReligious EducationReligious Education, which encompasses continue to provide a broad and balancedmoral and spiritual development, is central modern curriculum with continuity,to our teaching which is based on the progression and extension.principles of the Gospel. Liturgicalcelebration, both Eucharistic and non- As well as the experience of curriculumEucharistic, is at the heart of life at visits off site, we also invite experts into theLoreto Prep School. Assemblies, too, are classroom to enrich the curriculum for thean important feature of school life. pupils. We have had visits from a Viking settler, Florence Nightingale and aAll children are required to follow the fascinating talk and display of Birds of Prey,Religious Education Programme in the to name but a few.school but, at the same time, appreciation,respect and tolerance of other Faiths areexercised and encouraged.There is a well-established SacramentalProgramme in the school, enablingparents and teachers to work togetherto prepare children for the Sacramentsof Reconciliation and Eucharist, whichare celebrated as part of the schoolfamily.English, Mathematics and ScienceThe teaching of the core subjects ofEnglish, Mathematics and Science isconsidered to be of paramountimportance. While there is an emphasison academic excellence, achievement iscelebrated at all levels of ability and inall areas.Our schemes have been carefully chosenand are reviewed annually to ensure we

We develop our curriculumin the best interests ofour children.

CurriculumArt Our musicians encourage and support each other. At times, impromptu groups,Art and design may be undertaken in rehearsing new material can be heardcombination with other subjects, or as a around the school.basis for developing specific learningobjectives matched to the abilities of the All children leave us with an ability tochildren in each class. perform at some level on a musical instrument; most with certificates of meritDesign and Technology awarded internally. Others achieve success in The Associated Board of the RoyalDesign and Technology is taught School of Music Examinations held annuallythroughout the school by investigating at the school.how to design for a specific purpose.Through practical tasks using a selection The school orchestra, our talentedof materials the children are able to choristers and other instrumentaldevelop a range of skills and techniques. ensembles are given ample opportunity to perform throughout the school year, asPerforming Arts well as taking part in musical productions.Our children are offered a wide range of Our children find music making anopportunities from classroom activities enjoyable and rewarding experience whichwhere they develop and explore their is reflected in their enthusiasmmusical ideas to instrumental tuition, and commitment.offered in recorder, guitar, piano and avariety of orchestral instruments,provided by a team of experienced staff.

Our children find musicmaking an enjoyable andrewarding experience whichis reflected in their enthusiasmand commitment.

CurriculumPhysical EducationEducation of the whole person mustinclude physical development alongsidedevelopment in other curriculum areas.In Loreto Prep there is an extensive In addition to class lessons in gymnasticsprogramme of sports and physical and games skills there is a wide range ofeducation which, in addition to promoting extra-curricular activities including netball,a healthy lifestyle, enables our pupils to badminton, rounders, cross-country,accept success and failure graciously andto co-operate with others using their athletics and swimming. Pupils competebest qualities to contribute to the greater in local and national sporting events,good of the whole group. achieving outstanding results. All children participate in an annual Sports Day. An outdoor pursuits residential visit is the highlight of the year for Year 6.

An outdoor pursuits residentialvisit is the highlight of the yearfor the top class.

Curriculum French is taught in both Infant and Junior classes.The children learn about theInformation and culture of France, as well as acquiringCommunication Technology language skills.Every classroom is equipped with aninteractive whiteboard which is usedextensively in class lessons.We have amodern IT suite which caters for a fullclass of children. Wireless technologyis used throughout the school.LanguagesIn the Foundation Stage the children areintroduced to the concept of languagesother than their own. They areencouraged to learn a greeting in anotherlanguage and visitors are asked if they cancontribute to the extensive bank ofvocabulary already know by the children.

An interactive whiteboardis used extensively in classlessons.

StaffingOur dedicated teachers are all fullyqualified and regularly attend furthertraining to develop specialist skills. Theyare supported by experienced teachingassistants.Physical Education and Music are taught Assessmentby specialist teachers. Teaching and Learning are reviewed in theThe school has a team of support light of National Curriculum requirementsteachers who work alongside the class as well as guidelines and directives fromteachers in the core subjects of government. As an independent school weMathematics and English. This involves are able to develop our curriculum in theworking in small groups or individually. best interests of our children. FormalConsequently in our junior department assessments take place twice a year, andMaths is taught in groups of allow the monitoring of progress, so thatapproximately fifteen, and English extension and support work can be putsupport is targeted at those pupils who in place.may experience difficulty in reading orspelling. If the school is concerned that achild has a learning difficulty such asdyslexia, we are able to seek theprofessional services of an educationalpsychologist to give advice.Support is also given to extend the ableand gifted children.

As an independent schoolwe are able to develop ourcurriculum in the bestinterest of our children.

FacilitiesLoreto Preparatory School was foundedin Altrincham in 1909 but moved into amodern, purpose-built school in 1971.The school stands in pleasant groundswhich provide a natural resource forenvironmental studies.In addition to individual classrooms there There is a separate music room. Both theare large shared working areas and a Infant and Junior departments have well stocked central libraries, in addition towell-equipped gymnasium which also individual class libraries. The junior libraryserves as an assembly hall and dining is computerised. Children are taught howroom. It is fitted with excellent stage to find information in books and how to make best use of libraries both in schoollighting for school productions. The and in their local areas.school was extended in 2004 with theaddition of two modern classrooms. The In addition to the computer suite therefurbishment of the original building school has computers in various areasenabled us to create a large modern around the school and in most classrooms.computer suite. Each class base has an interactive whiteboard. The Preparatory School is in close proximity to Loreto Grammar School, enabling excellent liaison.

In addition to the computersuite the school hascomputers in various areasaround the school.

PracticalitiesSCHOOL HOURS UNIFORMChildren should be in school by 8.40 am The school has a uniform policy andready to attend assembly at 8.45 am. parents are asked to see that their children’s uniform conforms to theFinishing Times: regulations. It is most important that all items of uniform and other belongingsNursery and Reception 3pm be named.Preps 2 and 3 3.15 pmPreps 4 – 5 3.30 pm TRANSPORTPreps 6 – 7 3.35 pm There are school bus services from Flixton, Stockport,Warrington (Stockton Heath.FEES Lymm, Newton-le-Willows, Croft and Culcheth) and Wilmslow. Pupils must be inFees are due on the first day of term, or the Junior Department to travel on themay be paid in10 monthly instalments. school bus i.e. in Prep 4 (Year 3) or above.Further details are available from theschool Bursar. BEFORE and AFTER SCHOOL CAREFees cover the cost of tuition, textbooks The school is open for children fromand stationery. 8.00am. The children may come into the main hall where they are supervised by aNot included in the fees: member of staff until assembly time.• Curriculum visits Children in the Foundation Stage may• Extra curricular activities arrive from 8.30am.• Private music lessons The After School club starts at 3.30pm• Musical instruments and is for children of Loreto Preparatory School only. After an initial play, theThe school is a partner in the Trafford children have a light snack, and then do aEarly Years Partnership and provides up range of activities. There is a quiet areato 15 hours free for children who qualify for homework. The club currently runsunder the Early Years terms and until 5.30pm, but an Early Doors optionconditions. Further details are available of 4.30pm is also available. Children mayfrom the Bursar attend this club from the time they are in Prep 1 (Reception)TERMS NOTICE OF LEAVINGAutumn, Spring, Summer. Parents are required to give one complete term’s notice in writing or one term’s fees in lieu of notice prior to the removal of a pupil. The Governors reserve the right to ask for the withdrawal of a pupil should the necessity arise.

We are a Catholic Independentschool for girls aged 3 to 11.

The Crest of the Institute ofthe Blessed Virgin MaryThe Crest of the Institute is familiar to all who are connected with Loreto.In the first section is the Cross, which is the very centre of Christianity.All grace comes from Christ - the great High Priest of the human race.Next to the Cross is the Sacred Heart of Our Lord. The cross whichsurmounts it and the crown of thorns which surrounds it symbolise thegreat love which caused Him to die on the Cross for our salvation.'Greater love than this no man has, that he lay down his life for his friend'.In the bottom left-hand section is the sacred heart of Our Lady, the Motherof the Church. Devotion to our Blessed Mother is naturally, acharacteristic of a congregation which bears her name - The Institute of theBlessed Virgin Mary.Finally, there is an anchor which represents Faith. Faith is the foundationof the Christian Life.All this is summed up in the words of the Crest: 'While I live, I believe inthe Cross of Christ' and 'Mary, Queen of the Angels'.

AccreditationThis school has been accredited to the Independent Schools Association.Membership is subject to regular review. The Association is affiliated to theIndependent Schools Joint Council. The President of the Association isDr B.M.W.Trapnell CBE, and the Chief Executive Officer is Neil Roskilly.CHAIR OF GOVERNORS: Sister Jacinta Davenport IBVMHEADTEACHER: Mrs Helen NorwoodDEPUTY HEADTEACHER: Mrs Joanne Farmer

This hanging was made by the girls whofirst moved into the new extension in 2004.They designed it and then each girl workedon a square. Within it they have woven thewords which we recognise as our corevalues, Freedom,Truth, Justice, Sincerityand above all Joy.LORETO PREPARATORY SCHOOL Dunham Road,Altrincham WA14 4GZ Tel: 0161 928 8310