School is special Caring and sharing Happy and helping Our learning is fun Our school is safe Listening’s the rule That’s what we’re like at St. Thomas Primary School ! (school rap)

Our school is built on the following aims:

• We create a positive atmosphere where everyone feels proud to contribute and work together, in making our school a happy and safe place.
• We ensure that every child receives the best possible start to school life, by providing broad and balanced teaching and learning opportunities.
• We support individuals in being responsible for their own actions, to learn acceptable behaviour, and understand right from wrong.
• We encourage individuals to respect and value other points of view in preparation for living in an ever – changing society.
• We deliver the best possible education through inspiring and challenging every individual’s potential to feel motivated in achieving their best.
• We recognise that we work in partnership with parents and others, to encourage the excitement of continued lifelong learning.
• We identify and celebrate every individual’s strengths, so that they are confident in building on their achievements, and sharing them with others.
  

School Organization Our school delivers the Foundation Stage Curriculum, Key Stage 1 curriculum and Key Stage 2 curriculum. St. Thomas Primary School is a one-form entry primary school, and where possible children are taught in single-age classes. Children can be taught on a one-to-one basis, in small groups, or in a whole class situation. Children also have some time together in assemblies, playtimes and other cross-school activities. What To Wear Our uniform is red, grey and white. It is smart, practical and affordable. The uniform gives our children a sense of identity, and we encourage them to take a pride in their appearance. We ask that children wear sensible, flat, well supportive, non-slip shoes. For safety we ask that children do not wear jewellery. All children with pierced ears should wear only one pair of small stud earrings.

Learning Community

St. Thomas Primary School is part of a local learning community, which includes all feeder primary schools for West Exe Technology College, where our children transfer the September after their eleventh birthday.

Extended Schools Programme

The latest initiative is beginning to impact on the choice of before and after school activities at St. Thomas Primary School. As these become available parents will be notified.

Attendance

Regular school attendance is vital in order for children to take full advantage of the opportunities offered at this school. We set targets for attendance with our Educational Welfare Officer, and work with families where lateness and attendance are a problem. We operate a same day telephone system for absent children, and report unauthorized absences in a child’s annual report. Please remember that only the school, within the context of the law, can approve absence, not parents.