Wellbeing
Each Child is Known and Nurtured
Throughout the Junior School, children are taught by highly skilled and experienced teachers. The role of the class teacher is central to the education of every child and every Loretto teacher strives to meet the needs and abilities of all children in their care.
A Place Where You Can Really Be Yourself
At Loretto, being a small school means we know every pupil personally, and are able to offer them the opportunity to grow and develop wherever their interests may lie. By helping girls and boys to excel in mind, body and spirit, we support them to unlock and realise their full potential.
Our priority is that every child feels happy, secure and valued. We provide a safe, enjoyable, welcoming environment, with enough structure to address each child’s needs and closely assess their progress. By involving parents in every step of their child’s learning journey, we can better understand each child’s individual needs, interests and natural talents, and provide them with unmatched opportunities to develop as a whole person.
Loretto Junior School Deputy Head
There are four houses, or ‘colours’ as they are often known, and each new pupil will be allocated to a house in the first few weeks of term. These Houses are Greenlees, Langhorne, Mackintosh and Tristram and are named after former Headmasters of Loretto. Families are usually in the same house as each other, and children stay in the same house as they move up through the school. We enjoy a number of inter-house competitions and sporting events during the school year.
Loretto Junior School is a warm, vibrant community, welcoming children and parents of many nationalities as well as from the local environs. Between seasonal fairs, musicals and our parent representatives there are many opportunities to be involved in life at the School. Every morning and afternoon at drop off and collection, parents mingle and chat – if time allows – meaning that friendship and links are forged across the generations and throughout the whole school.
Our whole school assembly is an opportunity for Pre-School, Junior School and Senior School to be together. At some point during the academic year, each class has the opportunity to lead an assembly. In addition, Early Years and Years 4 to 7 have their own assembly together, which is known as ‘Double’. The Junior School also has a service, three times per term, in the School Chapel with the School Chaplain.
We encourage all our pupils to think independently and to take responsibility for their actions. In addition to this, pupils are given positions of responsibility as they progress through the School.
Each class nominates a representative for the Pupil Council, which meets each term to offer suggestions for school improvement and raise concerns formally to staff. Suggestions range from menu ideas and environmental projects, to charity events, rewards and sanctions. We encourage the pupils to speak up and share their ideas and initiatives.
Eco Committee
The Junior School has big plans to improve our impact on the environment, from recycling more effectively to developing our beautiful grounds: the Eco Committee (comprising children, parents and staff) meets at least once a term and moves these plans forward.
By the time children reach Year 7 – the final year of the Junior School – we believe it is important for every single child to exercise responsibility, to learn about leadership and about service to others. So, Year 7 children will all take turns to show visitors round the school, to help the adults supervise classrooms during wet break times and to help run events throughout the school year. The more specific roles for Year 7 children include:
- Head and Deputy Head of Junior School
- Eco Prefects
- Library Prefects
- House Captains
- Charity Prefects
- Playground Prefects
- IT Prefect
We are a small school and, upon joining Loretto, children and their families become part of a close-knit community, where relationships are based on a blend of informality, trust and mutual respect.
Consultations
We pay particular attention to our excellent partnership with parents. It is our philosophy to include our parents in the continuous progress and development of their child. As a result, we hold regular Parental Consultations during the school year to discuss continuing progress.
Reporting
Assessment of every child’s ability and progress in each curricular area is ongoing and at the end of the winter and summer terms, written reports are issued to parents. These cover academic progress and the social and personal development of every child in our care. As part of our reporting system, we encourage the children to reflect on their own learning. From their own target setting, the pupils write a self-evaluation and this is attached to the reports and sent home to their parents.
Parents’ Forum
At least once a term, this group of parent representatives (one from each year group from Pre-School to Year 7) meets with the Head and Deputy Head of the Junior School. Items for discussion are submitted to the reps ahead of the meeting and many matters relating to the efficiency, organisation and smooth-running of the School are improved by means of this two-way communication.
Pupils study life skills within class, through discussion and activities within our Health and Wellbeing curriculum. The main purpose is to ensure that pupils develop the knowledge and understanding, skills, capabilities and attributes, which they need for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing, both now and in the future.
The children follow a planned programme of work to take account of issues such as self-awareness, self esteem, interpersonal relationships, independence and interdependence. Pupils study and discuss a wide range of subjects such as diversity, discrimination, disability, internet safety, road safety and values.
Visiting speakers are often welcomed into school, to deliver workshops, information sessions and lead discussions. We also share suitable information with parents, helping to communicate the changing landscape of challenges facing our young people today.
All minor incidents in school are treated by qualified First Aiders. We will always telephone you if we have any concerns with your child.
Do please let us know if your child needs regular medication e.g. inhaler. Medication held in school must have an expiry date which lasts the whole academic year. If your child is unwell and not attending school please telephone the Junior School Office before 8.30am
Staff and children alike agree that the quality of food at Loretto is excellent. Children are encouraged to eat sensibly and learn about the importance of having a balanced, healthy diet. They eat with their peers and are supervised by staff in the Junior School Dining Room. Children can choose from a hot or cold meal followed by a pudding or fresh fruit. A mid-morning snack is always served. All food is prepared and cooked at school and special dietary needs are always accommodated.
