About the School: Introduction
The school is split into three sections:
Nursery Class
St Joseph's Preparatory School Nursery provides a stimulating and high quality early years learning environment. Within a structured programme of play and learning activities, the individual needs of every child will be met (social, emotional, moral, physical and intellectual). The Nursery Class is a very busy, active place to be!
The Curriculum Framework in our Nursery Class covers language and literacy skills, early number skills, personal and social development, physical development, creative development, religious education and information technology. The Curriculum is based on the Desirable Outcomes Framework recommended by the DCSF. The Nursery children are also introduced to French and are encouraged to sing, speak and enjoy this new language.
There is a maximum intake of 24 children into our nursery with three qualified early years practitioners ensuring attention to all.
Pre-Preparatory Department
The Pre-Preparatory Department contains 3 classes - Reception, Pre-Prep One and Pre-Prep Two.
Learning to socialize is an essential part of education and we try to promote awareness of self and sensitivity to others, which are necessary qualities for good personal relationships. The use of correct speech and good manners are always encouraged. We encourage pupils to treat others in the way they themselves would wish to be treated.
The curriculum is designed to give pupils a good general education, both academic and practical, in the core curriculum over 3 years, with special emphasis being placed on English, Mathematics and Science.
Language and literacy are of major importance in every child's early education and are given high priority within the curriculum. Language and literacy skills are recognized as the main tools of learning and communication. The reading schemes used throughout the Department begin to be used in the Reception Class.
All children take part in daily worship and there is a weekly pattern of assemblies including regular 'whole school' assemblies. Friday is our Success Assembly where children's achievements are acknowledged. Throughout the year, each class takes it in turn to lead an assembly to which parents are invited. The School celebrates Mass regularly throughout each term.
Preparatory Department
The Preparatory Department contains 4 classes - Prep 3, Prep 4, Prep 5 and Prep 6.
The Preparatory Department timetable is designed to keep children's eager and inquisitive minds fully occupied, and to give them a secure grounding on which to build their future educational success. The Department is traditional in its insistence upon high standards of work, appearance, punctuality, manners and behaviour. The essence of discipline is self-discipline and we endeavour to help all pupils to discover and realize its importance and to make it a significant part of their lives. Study skills are developed in early years and we expect and value parental involvement and support in the development of all our pupils.
The curriculum is designed to give pupils a general academic education in the core curriculum over 4 years with special emphasis being placed on English, Mathematics and Science. The pupils are not streamed and are taught in mixed ability classes. Throughout the day, pupils are taught by subject specialist teachers and move to subject based classrooms.
Academic Excellence
St Joseph's Preparatory School achieves excellent academic standards across the curriculum and this is reflected in the results achieved in internal examinations and national PIPS tests co-ordinated by Durham University, preparing our pupils thoroughly for entrance to secondary education. We have chosen to withdraw from state SATs examinations which allows us to focus and improve the performance of the large number of pupils who take entrance tests during Prep 6. Former pupils have gone on to a number of secondary schools, such as Christ's Hospital and Stonyhurst, as well as a number of children receiving academic and sporting scholarships for Denstone College, Newcastle-under-Lyme and St Dominic's.