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At St. Bernadette’s, we are in the process of writing and developing a bespoke curriculum based on the National Curriculum. “…careful curriculum design, where new knowledge is broken down into meaningful components and introduced sequentially, can support all pupils to learn scientific concepts. This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.” Research Review Series: Science. Ofsted, 2021. Science Policy 25-26 Prior Knowledge "Assessing students' prior knowledge allows an instructor to focus and adapt their teaching plan. For students, it helps them to construct connections between old and new knowledge.” Assessing Prior Knowledge, Cornell University, 2022 Each unit with a prior knowledge check – this aids both teachers and learners. A focused flashback helps pupils to retain prior knowledge on the topic and make links between old and new content. Each planning grid outlines prior knowledge in order to support teaching. Retrieval “Sufficient curriculum time must be allocated for pupils to embed what they have learned in long-term memory through extensive practice before moving on to new content.” Research Review Series: Science. Ofsted, 2021. Each lesson begins with three flashback activities: The idea is that this: Will help to transfer information into pupils’ long term memories Will act as a ‘pre-teach’ for key concepts and vocabulary Will address common misconceptions before they arise Will lead to greater understanding as we progress through a topic as effective links can be made. Vocabulary "Vocabulary plays a crucial role in science because it is at the heart of science learning and knowledge building. To discuss and build knowledge, students need to have access to the vocabulary of science.” National Science Teaching Association, 2020 Each unit contains: A discrete lesson on vocabulary that is taught at the start of the unit, this pre teaches new scientific words. A selection of key vocabulary showcased on classroom science display boards. Each lesson contains: Scientists "Researchers have found that the sense of belonging in science matters more than grades and background when it comes to keeping students in science majors and careers. Creating a more equitable, inclusive, and leakproof STEM pipeline requires helping more students feel like scientists.” Helping students (re)think of themselves as scientists. C&EN, 2020. Each unit has a key scientist linked to it. These scientists have been reviewed to ensure our curriculum is more diverse and relevant to our pupils. Many units also have a ‘Just Like Me’ scientist also included, helping pupils learn about people like them working in different careers within the field of science today. When learning about scientists, we will focus on: the impact that scientist had on the world whose ideas that scientist built upon the barriers some scientists faced and how they successfully overcame these to make a significant difference to the world around them which of our ‘Working Scientifically’ skills these scientists utilized. Here are examples of a few modern and diverse scientists included in our science curriculum: Environmental Awareness "Environmental education promotes critical and creative thinking skills and inspires kids to become more engaged with their communities. It helps kids understand why the environment is important and provides them with the building blocks they need to live eco-friendly and sustainable lives.” Why Environmental Education is Important for Kids. Rubicon, 2021 The golden thread of environmental awareness runs through each unit in school. Each unit has a linked environmental focus – ‘Care of God’s Creation’ (linked to Catholic Social Teaching). This makes our curriculum more relevant to issues faced today, which should engage pupils and help them to see the real-world purpose of their learning. Enquiry Types Throughout school, children are exposed to five types of enquiry: Comparative/fair testing Research Observation over time Pattern seeking Identifying, grouping and classifying Working Scientifically A set of characters have been created to represent each of the ‘Working Scientifically’ skills that the children will utilise within their investigations and enquiries. These characters are displayed in every classroom and appear in many science lessons, even when the focus is not directly linked to enquiry. Reading At St. Bernadette’s, we believe that reading is a cornerstone of each and every curriculum area. As such, opportunities to share picture books, as well as fiction and non-fiction texts, have been planned into each unit. A range of books related to each science topic have also been purchased for each classroom in order to allow children to extend their learning outside of lesson time. Reading as part of the Curriculum (sample) Wider Reading Material (sample)

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2025 (1) .pdf Pobierz PDF • 493KB 2025 Behaviour Policy 2025 2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 337KB 2025 Complaints Procedure 2025 2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 344KB 2025 4. Charging and Remission 2025 2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 100KB 2025 5. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Objectives Policy 2025-26 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 53KB 2025 Admissions Policy 26-27 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 181KB 2026 Accessibility Plan 2025 2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 48KB 2025 Parent Code Of Coduct 2025 2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 78KB 2025 Computing Policy 2025 - 2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 122KB 2025 Online Safety Policy 2025 - 2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 126KB 2025 PE policy 2025-2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 495KB 2025 Mathematics Policy 2025 2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 103KB 2025 1. EYFS Calculation Policy .pdf Pobierz PDF • 1.45MB 2025 2. Year 1 Calculation Policy .pdf Pobierz PDF • 1.20MB 2025 3. Year 2 Calculation Policy .pdf Pobierz PDF • 1.60MB 2025 4. Year 3 Calculation Policy .pdf Pobierz PDF • 1.63MB 2025 5. Year 4 Calculation Policy .pdf Pobierz PDF • 6.25MB 2025 6. Year 5 Calculation Policy .pdf Pobierz PDF • 6.51MB 2025 7. Year 6 Calculation Policy .pdf Pobierz PDF • 7.31MB 2025 Geography policy 2025-2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 186KB 2025 History policy 2025-26 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 195KB 2025 Design Technology policy 2025-26 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 199KB 2025 English Policy 2025-26 with HWr Progression .pdf Pobierz PDF • 563KB 2025 Art policy 2025-2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 195KB 2025 Science Policy 2025-2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 209KB 2025 MFL Policy 2025- 2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 174KB 2025 Religious Education Policy 2025-2026 .pdf Pobierz PDF • 89KB 2025

St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School is in the parish of Holy Family Church . "Greetings to all parents and parishioners, May the peace of God be with you and your families. You are always welcome to visit our church" Father Fretch Ballesteros (SDV) is our priest at Holy Family Church in Small Heath. The parish was founded in 1901. The church was built in 1928 and extended in 1966 Tuesday - Friday Mass 10:30am. Sunday Morning Mass: 10.30am. Weekend Mass times at Local Parishes Parish Saturday Sunday Holy Family 4 pm 10.30 am and 5.15 pm St Thomas More 5.30 pm 8.30 am and 10.30 am Corpus Christi 6 p m 10.30 am Holy Souls 5pm 8.30 am, 10 am and 12pm (Noon) The Holy Rosary - 9.30 am and 12 pm (Noon) Fr. Fretch Ballesteros History of Holy Family Church A brick building of the 1920s by George Drysdale, built on a Greek cross plan, and significantly enlarged in the 1960s to accommodate a large influx of (mainly Irish) Catholics, attracted by jobs in local industry. The interior is a fine barrel vaulted space. An intended campanile was not built, the result being that the townscape contribution of the church is relatively minor. The mission in Small Heath was founded by the Revd James Wright in 1901 from St Anne’s in Digbeth and Mass was said in a workshop in Green Lane until a school-chapel was built in 1903, then Mass was said in the upper floor of the new school (this was destroyed by enemy action in 1940.) Subsequently, the first Parish Primary School (Holy Family) opened its doors in Holy Family Church on 11 January 1904. The permanent church opened in 1928. The church is orientated roughly north-south, but this description follows conventional liturgical orientation, as if the altar was to the east. The church was built in two phases. The first, in the 1920s, was on a Greek cross plan, and was built of local purple brown bricks, with Green Westmorland slate roofs. The eastern arm of this was demolished and the nave extended to form a Latin cross, using complementary materials, in the 1960s. An intended northwest campanile was not built. So the present church originated as a Greek cross design by George Drysdale, seating 400, and opened in August 1929 (builders William Sapcote & Sons). It was described in The Tablet as ‘a quiet design …unity of character has been sought in the architecture, in the treatment of furniture and fittings, and also in the arrangement of the forecourt’. The 1920s church had open pediments on the north and south faces with moulded brick string courses and a row of arched clerestory windows. The east end was apsidal. The interior was an impressive barrel vaulted space, with a groin vault at the crossing. Although externally expressed, there is no internal separation into ‘nave’ and ‘aisles’, the nave is one wide space, with the barrel vaulting springing from great steel joists spanning east to west. There is a gallery and narthex at the west end, with a mosaic roundel of the Holy Family fixed to the gallery front (figure 2), possibly from the 1929 church and possibly by Pippet. In the narthex are brass panels to Fr Wright, founder of the mission, and Fr J. P. Dowling, benefactor. At the east, arched openings are located at the corners of the Greek cross. The sanctuary is placed in the eastern arm, and is dominated by a large freestanding altar, with a crucifix and tabernacle in the apse. Side chapels were placed at either side. There is a large organ of 1903 by Steele & Keay of Burslem, acquired c.1993 from Pitts Hill Methodist Church, Stoke. The forecourt was developed in the 1960s when, following a large influx of (mainly Irish) Catholics drawn by jobs in local industry: Birmingham Small Arms;the Chrysler Factory; JJ Gallagher the Builder. The local population used to say that they were either coming out the Blues ground or Holy Family Church. And so the priest, Father O'Keefe extended the church in 1966, and that's why it is so big now. The nave was extended to form a Latin cross plan, increasing the seating capacity to approximately 1,000. The architect for the additions was J. T. Lynch of Jennings, Homer & Lynch, and the extended church was blessed on 25 October, 1967. New sacristies, meeting rooms, a cry room and confessionals were also built, but an intended 100ft campanile was never realised. The total cost was for the built additions was about £120,000. In that period a second Parish Primary School was built on Hob Moor Road, (St Bernadette’s) which served the Irish community. Previously, St Benedict's Church of England School had been used for some of the children because of the enormous numbers. The 1960s additions were a modern and simplified version of the original work. The west front had a brick pilaster/piers at the corners and an open pediment framing a large central ‘feature panel’ faced in Portland stone. A crucifix was placed against this. Below this, solid oak entrance doors were placed beneath a flat canopy, with windows on either side. Flanking the entrance, low flat-roofed wings with recessed stone faced bays incorporating windows were presumably built as the baptistery and a side entrance. Above these, a round arched window on either side lit an internal gallery. Beyond this were raised (but not as high as the nave) and plain ‘aisle’ walls, the ‘aisles’ lit by one rectangular window per bay. The present church was consecrated on 10 June 1976 Catholic Life & Mission Our Parish Sacraments Saints Prayer & Liturgy Gospel Virtues Catholic Social Teaching

SEND Information Report SEND Approach Masking Special Educational Needs and Disabilities “At St Bernadette’s Catholic School, you will find us caring, hardworking and co-operative. We follow the ways of Jesus, using our talents and gifts to make our school special. We show respect to all and welcome you.” At St Bernadette's School, in line with our Catholic ethos, we believe that all our children are individuals and unique. We constantly endeavour to meet the needs of every child in our care. We aim to develop children into confident and resilient learners, to develop a love of learning and to encourage them to explore opportunities to step outside of their comfort zone whilst not neglecting the need to develop wider life skills that they can use to underpin their future development. St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School currently has 597 children on role (May 2025). There are currently 135 children on SEND register with a range of needs. 10 children have an EHCP. We offer three main levels of support – universal, targeted and specialist. All children with SEND get universal support through high-quality teaching and most will get targeted support. Those children and young people with more complex or severe needs will also have specialist support. If your child needs specialist provision, school staff will usually need to get specialist advice. This kind of support is usually given to children and young people with long-term complex needs and/or disabilities, often with an Education Health and care (EHC) plan. SEND Policy 25/26 sendco@stberns.bham.sch.uk SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITY INFORMATION REPORT At St Bernadette’s School, we support children with a variety of differing Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and we pride ourselves on being a highly inclusive school with an ethos which encourages and celebrates diversity and difference. SEND Report Our approach to teaching children with SEND At St Bernadette’s School, we offer smaller setting groups with a tailored curriculum and a focus on closing gaps in English and Maths skills in most year groups. Teachers adapt their high-quality teaching to cater for their pupils’ needs and plan individual timetables where necessary. When appropriate, staff are deployed to give children additional interventions in small groups outside the classroom, or to provide one-to-one support. We use the EEF guidance ‘Five-a-day’ and embed the key principles into all our lessons. SEND Approach We use a range of strategies across our lessons to ensure we offer an inclusive approach to learning and allow all children to access the classroom environment. We also seek advice and equipment from outside agencies as and when the need arises.

Catholic Life & Mission Our Parish Sacraments Saints Prayer & Liturgy Gospel Virtues Catholic Social Teaching Our Mission At St. Bernadette's Catholic School you will find us caring, hardworking and co-operative. We follow the ways of Jesus using our talents and gifts to make our school special. We show respect to all and welcome you. Our Behaviour Expectations & Values Our Catholic ethos promotes positive relationships based on respect; pupils are helped to make moral choices about their behaviour and their contribution to the school community. Our behaviour expectations are based on Christian values. We expect children to be polite, co-operative and considerate of others. Staff are committed to creating a school environment where these qualities are seen to be important and are positively encouraged and reflected in their own conduct. Classroom behaviour is based on simple expectations and values that the children can understand and have confidence in and which relate to all aspects of school life. Below are the 8 positive behaviour statements that are displayed around the school and prominently in classrooms.

PE Policy 25-26 At St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, our vision for Physical Education reflects our motto: “Learn to love, love to learn.” Through a Catholic lens, PE is more than physical activity—it is a chance to grow in faith, friendship and resilience. Following the ways of Jesus, we promote values such as respect, perseverance and compassion in every PE lesson. We encourage pupils to celebrate each other’s successes, support one another and take part with joy and fairness. Our inclusive and progressive PE curriculum helps every child to flourish, build confidence, and understand the importance of caring for the body God has given them. Alongside lessons, we provide opportunities to attend extra-curricular clubs, represent the school in competitions and develop healthy habits that will support their well-being beyond St Bernadette’s. We aim to develop healthy role models—children who not only enjoy being active but who inspire their families to make healthier choices. Through positive experiences of PE, we hope to play our part in reducing obesity and promoting long-term physical and mental well-being within our community. We also want our pupils to continue their journey with sport and physical activity beyond primary school - joining local clubs, staying active through secondary school and beyond, and carrying the values they have learned at St Bernadette’s into their future lives. Whether through sport, gymnastics, dance or teamwork, our children learn to move with purpose, live with love and grow together in the spirit of Christ. Promoting Well-Being Through PE At St Bernadette’s, we recognise that physical education plays a key role in supporting the mental and emotional well-being of our pupils. Through active participation in sport, children develop teamwork, resilience, and communication skills while building self-esteem. Regular physical activity has a proven link to improved concentration, reduced stress, and better sleep patterns - all of which contribute to overall happiness and a healthy lifestyle. What Our Pupils Say? "I like PE because we run really fast and play games with my friends.” – Year 1 pupil “I love jumping and doing rolls in gymnastics with Miss Curran - it’s fun!” – Year 2 pupil “I love dance because I learn new moves and feel really proud when I get better at something.” – Year 3 pupil "Circus Club is so much fun at lunchtime—I can juggle now!” – Year 4 pupil “PE is my favourite lesson because we get to try something new and exciting.” – Year 5 pupil "Playing for the school football team makes me feel part of something special. I like working together with my friends.” – Year 6 pupil What do our parents say about PE? “Watching my child take part in the SEND sports events has been incredible. The confidence and joy it brings them is amazing. They feel included, celebrated and proud of what they can do. As a parent, I’m so grateful for the opportunities St Bernadette’s provides—it’s made such a difference to my child’s well-being.” – Parent of a Year 4 pupil “Both of my children love PE at St Bernadette’s, and they always come home talking about what they’ve learned. Miss Curran’s after-school club has been brilliant—it’s helped my Year 2 child build confidence and my Year 5 really enjoys the challenge. It’s lovely to see them both so active and enthusiastic about staying healthy.” Parent of a Year 2 & 5 pupils - Mrs Curran our gymnastics specialist from Positive PE “My Year 6 daughter absolutely loves dance club with Jade. It’s such a creative outlet for her and she’s really grown in confidence. My youngest, who’s in Year 1, looks forward to KS1 Football every week—it’s all he talks about after school! I really appreciate the variety of clubs on offer and the encouragement from staff.” Parent of a Year 1 & 6 pupils What do our outside PE providers say? "It’s a pleasure to support PE at St Bernadette’s, especially through delivering gymnastics lessons and leading extra-curricular clubs. One of the things I value most is helping to develop staff confidence through CPD—sharing techniques, planning ideas and working together to deliver high-quality PE across the school. I love seeing the children’s excitement during our gym and circus clubs; they’re always eager to try new skills and challenge themselves in a fun, supportive environment. One of the most rewarding parts of my week is working 1:1 with the SEND children every Wednesday morning—seeing their confidence grow and how much they enjoy their sessions is incredibly special." "I absolutely love coming into St Bernadette’s to teach dance in PE lessons. The children are so enthusiastic and creative and it’s a joy to see them grow in confidence through dance. Leading after-school clubs in KS1 & KS2 and supporting the Year 6 production is always a highlight for me—it’s amazing to see their personalities shine. There’s a real sense of energy and encouragement here and I feel proud to be a part of it." Jade – our dance teacher from JDC Dancevibe: Long-Term Progression in PE At St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, our long-term progression map has been developed to reflect the National Curriculum while also embracing our identity as a Catholic school. Each page identifies the relevant curriculum strand, alongside carefully selected PE units that bring these objectives to life in an engaging and purposeful way. Taught through a Catholic lens, our PE curriculum supports not only the development of physical skills and knowledge but also the formation of character, compassion and community - central to our Gospel values. By covering at least one unit from each strand every year, we offer a broad, balanced and progressive learning journey that nurtures confident, active and responsible pupils. This approach strengthens our commitment to delivering a PE curriculum that supports the whole child - body, mind and spirit - in line with our mission to “Learn to love, love to learn.” Gymnastics Athletics Dance Games Outdoor Adventurous Activities Health & Fitness PE Curriculum Map At St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, our PE curriculum is carefully mapped out to ensure clear progression, full National Curriculum coverage and high-quality teaching and learning. We use the GetSet4PE scheme to support our planning, providing a consistent and structured approach across all year groups. The scheme offers a wide range of units that are engaging, inclusive, and aligned with National Curriculum outcomes. Our curriculum map ensures that all pupils experience a broad balance of physical activities, while developing key skills, knowledge and vocabulary over time. Through this structured approach, we are able to deliver lessons that build confidence, promote healthy lifestyles and reflect our Catholic values in every aspect of physical education. PE Pupil Premium PE Pupil Premium Funding What is PE Pupil Premium Funding? The government is providing additional funding per annum to improve provision of Physical Education (PE) and Sport in Primary Schools. This funding - provided jointly by the Departments for Education, Health and Culture, Media and Sport - will be allocated to Primary School Headteachers. This funding is ring-fenced and therefore can only be spent on provision of PE and Sport in Schools. The grant is paid in 2 instalments. Schools will receive the initial payment in the Autumn Term and the second payment in April. Primary PE & Sport Premium Reports 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Primary PE & Sport Premium Grant Expenditure Funding Allocation Categories of Grant Spending Opportunities, Impacts & Sustainability School Declarations Grant

Welcome to St. Bernadette’s Early Years Foundation Stage! Our teaching team in Nursery consists of Mrs Rainey (Red Group), Miss Barron (Yellow Group), Mrs. Buchanan (Blue Group), Mrs Nield (Green Group). The teaching team in Reception consists of Mrs. Canning, Mrs. Lennon and Mrs. McCartan (REL), Miss Coley and Miss O’Neill (RLC), Miss Belcher & Mrs. Thomas (RCB). . Our school is a beacon of hope and a place that offers children in the EYFS an education rich in wonder and memorable experiences. We want our children to succeed in our ever-changing world; we hope our education gives our children the best chance to become happy and well-rounded individuals, reaching their full potential and fostering our school motto, ‘Love to Learn, Learn to Love’. At St Bernadette’s School, we are committed to the Catholic faith, recognising and valuing every individual as special and unique, created in the image and likeness of God. We welcome and celebrate differences and our curriculum is designed to recognise children’s diverse range of experiences and prior learning from their previous settings and their home environment. We know the crucial role that early years education has to play in providing firm foundations upon which the rest of a child’s education is successfully based. Our EYFS curriculum is driven by our four fundamental EYFS curriculum drivers: Learn to Love, Love to Learn We want children’s curiosity and creativity to be nurtured so their love for learning is ignited. Through developing learning behaviours, such as: playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically, we want children to be autonomous with their own learning and resilient. We want them to plan, implement and review this process and do it with integrity and become successful, lifelong learners. Communication Communication and language skills are the cornerstone of learning. We want our children to be able to speak clearly and process speech sounds, express their ideas and to understand and interact with others. We want them to develop an enriched vocabulary and a love for reading. Communication is the vehicle for learning, making friends and succeeding in life. Community We want our children to develop a sense of pride in themselves and respect and tolerance for others in their immediate and school community, as well as the world that is beyond their local environment. They need opportunities to experience the richness of our diverse community and show they care about its management and sustainability. We want to cultivate partnerships with families and engagement in their child’s lifelong learning journey. We want children to develop a sense of citizenship in line with British Values. We follow the Values and Virtues from the Archdiocese of Birmingham's Catholic Schools’ Pupil Profile; we see them in action in our lives and in the lives of others and we work on how to encapsulate these values in our lives. Possibilities We are passionate about broadening the horizons of our children, providing rich learning opportunities and experiences to develop imagination, curiosity, creativity and ingenuity. Our children cannot aspire to things that they have never encountered; we want to expand their knowledge of the world in which we live. Click the image above for the EYFS Handbook 25/26 Our Learning Nursery Long Term Plan 25/26 Reception Long Term Plan 25/26 EYFS Policy 25-26 Nursery Autumn 1 Knowledge Organiser Autumn 2 Knowledge Organiser Pre-Phonics Document 25-26 Reception Autumn 1 Knowledge Organiser Autumn 1 Knowledge Organiser Autumn 1 Knowledge Organiser Autumn 2 Knowledge Organiser Autumn 2 Knowledge Organiser Autumn 2 Knowledge Organiser Pre-Phonics Document 25-26 Pre-Phonics Document 25-26 Pre-Phonics Document 25-26 Outdoor Learning “The best kept classroom and the richest cupboard are roofed only by the sky” Margaret McMillan (1925) The outdoors provides young children with one of the best possible environments in which to learn. Why is learning outdoor important: Physical development is the pre-requisite for the children’s growth. It enhances the development of gross and fine motor skills, develops co-ordination, balance and body awareness. It develops a life-long good habit of daily exercise, encouraging them to be active and healthy. It provides the opportunity for assessed ‘risky’ freedom, where children can play and socialise freely and use their own imagination an initiative. All the areas of learning can be achieved outside while the children’s long-term social, emotional and mental health are being enhanced. Learning outside the classroom gives children contact with the natural world and offers them experiences that are unique to outdoors, such as direct contact with the weather and the seasons. Playing and learning outside also helps children to understand and respect nature, the environment and the interdependence of humans, animals, plants, and lifecycles. Outdoor play also supports children’s problem-solving skills and nurtures their creativity, as well as providing rich opportunities for their developing imagination, inventiveness and resourcefulness. The outdoor environment offers space and therefore is particularly important to those children who learn best through active movement. Very young children learn predominately through their sensory and physical experiences which supports brain development and the creation of neural networks. For many children, playing outdoors at their early years setting may be the only opportunity they have to play safely and freely while they learn to assess risk and develop the skills to manage new situations. At our school we have two well equipped outdoor areas, as well as a garden where the children can explore, learning and play. In addition to this, the children will have the chance to visit the EcoPark where they can experience, hands-on, pond dipping, mini-beast hunts, explore the seasons and build dens to name a few. Play Based Learning Play underpins the Early Years Foundation Stage at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School. When children play, they are learning at the highest level and through play, children develop language skills, their emotions and creativity, social and intellectual skills. Play takes place indoors and outdoors and it is in these different environments that children explore and discover their immediate world, practise new ideas and skills, take risks, show imagination and solve problems on their own or with others. We provide high quality planned and unplanned experiences for children’s play and our teaching team support children’s learning so that it is both enjoyable and challenging. Reading At St. Bernadette’s Catholic School we foster a love of reading from the onset, sharing stories, poems and rhymes to develop vocabulary and comprehension. We have selected a number of high, quality texts to support a love of reading. Nursery Reading and Rhyme Spine Reception Reading and Rhyme Spine Nursery Rhymes in EYFS We also follow Pie Corbett’s ‘Talk for Writing’, this is a multi-sensory approach, introducing a simple way to inspire young children's language development through storytelling. Our children learn language through memorable, meaningful repetition. The ‘Talk for Writing’ approach enables children to internalise the language of story so that they can imitate it, innovate on it and create their own effective stories independently, allowing their language development and creativity to flourishes. We have a secure, systematic, synthetic phonics programme taught from the beginning of Reception, with phase 1 listening and attention activities being the focus in our Nursery. Our children have many opportunities to read and reread books that match their phonics stage. We also have a robust assessment system in place to quickly pick up children falling behind and thus we are able to give these children targeted support. Check out our Reading area on our school website for more information. EYFS Mathematics There's more to mathematics than just counting! Children learn about maths through play and their daily experiences and the more meaningful to them and hands on it is, the better. Our Nursey and Reception (both indoors and out) is full of mathematical opportunities and has exciting things for children to explore, sort, compare, count, calculate and describe. This supports them to be creative, critical thinkers, problem solvers and to have a go and to be resilient. Click here to visit our Mathematics area of our school website for more information. EYFS Literacy We believe that literacy and communication are key life skills. We will help children to develop the skills and knowledge that will enable them to communicate effectively and creatively in both spoken and written language. We want the children to enjoy and appreciate a rich variety of literature. Literacy skills permeate the curriculum and are vital in ensuring progress across all subjects. We aim to develop pupils’ abilities within our core programme of reading, writing, speaking and listening. The children have opportunities to use and improve their skills in other subject areas. We are committed to engaging our children with stories and rhymes from a very young age. Early language development is established through daily stories and rhymes. Children will experience quality reading, story, rhyme, talk and play on a daily basis. This is carefully planned within directed teacher led sessions and in our continuous provision.

Governors O W szkole podstawowej A. Williams wierzymy w pielęgnowanie młodych umysłów, aby mogły w pełni wykorzystać swój potencjał. Nasz innowacyjny program nauczania, w połączeniu z zaangażowanymi pedagogami stosującymi różnorodne metody nauczania, tworzy stymulujące środowisko, w którym uczniowie mogą się rozwijać i osiągać sukcesy. Priorytetem są dla nas zajęcia praktyczne, sztuka, muzyka i edukacja STEM, aby zapewnić spersonalizowane doświadczenia edukacyjne, dostosowane do indywidualnych potrzeb każdego dziecka. Odkryj, jak każdego dnia wspieramy kreatywność, ciekawość i sukcesy w nauce. The School Governors Mr John Lenihan Chair of Governors (FG) Curriculum Governor / Finance Governor / Mathematics Governor Miss Emma Finnegan Head Teacher Mrs Quinlan Vice-Chair Parent Governor / Foundation Governor Mrs Gemma Wrench Chair of Finance / Curriculum Governor Mrs Maria Winters Foundation Governor / RE Governor / Chair of curriculum Fr Fretch Ballesteros Foundation Governor / R.E Governor Mrs Vas Panayiotou Parent Governor / Safeguarding Governor Mrs P Moran Foundation Governor Mr Carlos De la Cruz Foundation Governor / Finance Governor Mr Iqbal Local Authority Governor Mr Carroll Staff Governor / SEN Governor / Finance Governor Services 4 Schools Clerk to Governors

Solihul Masking Supporting a Child Who Masks: Parent Guide Avoid Questions About the Day Asking “How was school?” or “What did you do today?” can increase anxiety. Focus on observing, listening gently and offering choices instead. Attend Workshops & Courses Attend school or external workshops on emotional regulation, masking and neurodiversity. Learning more equips you to respond calmly and supportively. Structured Routines Create consistent daily routines from morning to evening. Include all activities: meals, hygiene, independent play, homework, evening wind-down. Use visual timetables to make the day predictable. Remove completed activities from the schedule to give a sense of control and achievement. Visual Supports & Communication Boards Use consistent colours: one for directions, one for choices. Show simple images for each activity. Keep images clean: white background, no distractions. Place at child’s height for independence. Let the child choose or handle images for comfort and autonomy. Safe, Independent Activities Encourage activities your child can do alone or quietly: Counting, drawing, building, puzzles Running, skipping, movement Focus on activity and engagement, not discussion about the day. Observe & Respond to Stress Recognise outbursts, tears, or withdrawal as normal stress responses. Provide a calm, predictable environment to help your child regulate emotions. At school, we use zones of regulation Validate feelings without judgment: “I can see this is hard for you.” “It’s okay to feel frustrated or tired.” Offer multiple ways to communicate: talking, writing, drawing. Supporting Your Masking Child Emotionally Children need acceptance, predictability, and understanding. Remind them: It’s okay to be themselves. It’s okay to ask for help. They are not alone. Your child’s masking is not their fault—home should be a safe place to recharge. Supporting a masking child takes patience, understanding, and consistency. Using structured routines, visual supports, safe independent activities, and gentle emotional guidance can reduce stress and help your child feel secure and understood.

At St Bernadette’s School, the children have the opportunity to receive three of the sacraments: The Sacrament of Reconciliation in year 3 First Holy Communion in year 3 The Sacrament of Confirmation in year 6 The preparation for these sacraments takes place in school, with meetings held for parents and children in the early evening. Reconciliation Reconciliation is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. It is one of the two sacraments of healing, the other being the Sacrament of the Sick. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation we receive God’s forgiveness for our sins, his pardon and healing and reconciliation with the Church. Baptised Catholic children in Year 3 will usually receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time during Lent. This takes place in a special Reconciliation service at Holy Family Church. Preparation for this important sacrament takes place in school through the RE curriculum and during an after school meeting, where parents meet with Fr Fretch and children work with teachers and catechists. All you need to know about Reconciliation First Holy Communion Reconciliation is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. It is one of the two sacraments of healing, the other being the Sacrament of the Sick. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation we receive God’s forgiveness for our sins, his pardon and healing and reconciliation with the Church. Baptised Catholic children in Year 3 will usually receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time during Lent. This takes place in a special Reconciliation service at Holy Family Church. Preparation for this important sacrament takes place in school through the RE curriculum and during an after school meeting, where parents meet with Fr Fretch and children work with teachers and catechists. All you need to know about The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist Confirmation Confirmation is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. It is one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Church which are necessary for people to become full members of the Church. The other two Sacraments of initiation are the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. Through Confirmation the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are received: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. These gifts can help a person to live as a follower of Christ. Through receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit it is hoped that the candidate will, through their thoughts, words and actions bear the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control and joy. It is a means by which the candidate publically professes their faith and shows their commitment to becoming a full member of the Church. Children at St Bernadette’s usually receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in Year 6, during the Autumn Term. Preparation for this important sacrament begins in Year 5 and is continued in Year 6 through the delivery of the RE curriculum. Children have the opportunity to work closely with Fr Fretch and Sr Maura during this time. They are encouraged to think carefully about their chosen saint’s name and opportunities are provided for them to find out more about their saint and reflect on their life. All you need to know about Confirmation Catholic Life & Mission Our Parish Sacraments Saints Prayer & Liturgy Gospel Virtues Catholic Social Teaching

“A different language is a different vision of life." Federico Fellini St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School is a place that offers pupils an education rich in wonder and memorable experiences. Through our creative and inspiring MFL curriculum, it is our aim that children ‘learn to love and love to learn’ as global citizens. We believe that acquiring a foreign language and developing skills in communication are a necessary part of living in a multicultural society, essential ingredients to broadening our children’s horizons. Language lessons place a strong emphasis on developing the speaking and listening skills of the children: expressing their ideas and thoughts as they interact and communicate with others orally is at the heart of our MFL curriculum. The bespoke KS2 curriculum is organised around a wide range of engaging and relevant topics and themes; it aims to teach language that is purposeful and of high interest as well as nurture linguistic curiosity. MFL Overview Assessment Statements for MFL Intent, Implementation & Impact Statement Language Ambassadors At Saint Bernadette’s we have Language Ambassadors who promote the school’s positive ethos in language learning. These children have been chosen to represent our school as great role models, promoting the importance of language and the diverse world we live in. What an amazing job they do- thank you so much for sacrificing all those lunch times and giving your class a voice! Pupil Voice The children at Saint Bernadette’s really enjoy their French lessons and the experiences the French curriculum provides. Here are some of their comments: “I love my French lessons as there are so many activities to do and I know I am progressing because I can do the recaps without any help” Y6 pupil. “This is only the second time I have cooked in my life and now I learnt how to make crepes” Y5 pupil “I enjoyed going on the Mrs Colclough’s plane because it felt real and exciting to fly to France. I have never been on a plane before” Y1 pupil “French is important for our lives so we can meet new people, go on holiday, speak to people and not offend them” Y6 pupil French Day Every year at Saint Bernadette’s, we hold a special French Theme Day to celebrate France’s Bastille Day. Each class across school is involved in a vast range of fun and practical French related activities where they learn about the country’s geography, history, food, art and culture. All children are invited to come into school dressed in a French theme and get the opportunity to cook and taste selected French cuisine, re-create the work of well-know French artists and architects, as well as participate in a variety of workshops and experiences such as ballet, Cirque Du Soleil, pétanque, Tour de France, a Journey to Paris to name but a few. Take a look… Learning Outside the Classroom We know that reviewing and consolidation new vocabulary and grammatical structures is an integral part of learning and memorising a new language. As well as looking out for the ‘Réviser Votre Français’ section on the school newsletter, below are some web links to support your child’s language learning journey. Enjoy! https://www.french-games.net/ https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?q=french https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z39d7ty Why not join in on your child’s language learning journey by downloading Duolingo, the fun, free app for learning 40+ languages (including French) through quick, bite-sized lessons. Practice speaking, reading, listening, and writing to build your vocabulary and grammar skills. https://www.duolingo.com