Welcome

Welcome to St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Primary School. We hope this guide provides an overview of our school and gives you a flavour of why St. Mary Magdalen’s is such a special place to learn.

We strive to provide high quality education for all children in our care, recognising individual talents and ensuring opportunities are provided so that all can reach their full potential.

As a Catholic school, we follow Catholic values that seek not only to achieve excellence intellectually, but also spiritually. We welcome pupils of all faiths and beliefs.

Our Vision

• Search for excellence: all are given every opportunity to develop their talents to the full.
• Uniqueness of the individual: all are valued and respected as individuals.
• Education of the whole person: preparing children for life as Christians in the community.
• Education for all: caring for those who are socially, academically, physically or emotionally disadvantaged.
• Moral principles: offering experiences founded on Gospel values.

The School Day

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club is open daily from 8.00am at a cost of £2.50 per day per child. Breakfast is served from 8.00am to 8.20am.

Our Curriculum

Early Years Foundation Stage

At St. Mary Magdalen’s, we passionately believe children build strong foundations for learning through play and exploration.

We provide opportunities for children to learn from real-life experiences in a context they can relate to, building on their needs and next steps as we go.

The use of Forest School is developing and our spiritual garden is used for times of quiet reflection.

Prime Areas

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific Areas

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Key Stage 1 & 2

We are committed to providing a purposeful, engaging and empowering curriculum that prepares learners for the next steps in their school journey and the wider world.

Pastoral Support

Safeguarding

Safeguarding our pupils is our number one priority. We are a listening school and staff are trained in safeguarding procedures.

Our Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher are Designated Safeguarding Officers and all staff undertake safeguarding and child protection training.

We work closely with Durham Council and Clennell Education Solutions safeguarding teams.

SEND

Staff are supported by a highly skilled SEND Co-ordinator who oversees provision across school.

We may seek advice and recommendations from other professionals to ensure pupils receive the best support.

Our Community

Our Friends of St Mary Magdalen’s fundraising group actively raises funds for our school and welcomes time, ideas and support from families.

Our school supports a number of worthwhile charities. Children help raise money for the most vulnerable in society and those less fortunate than ourselves.

Our Uniform

Summer Uniform

• Light blue buttoned school shirt
• Navy tie
• Navy jumper or cardigan
• Grey or navy trousers, navy knee-length flared skirt or pinafore
• White, black or grey plain socks or navy tights
• Black shoes, no trainers

Winter Uniform

• Light blue polo T-shirt
• Navy jumper or cardigan
• Grey or navy trousers or shorts, knee-length flared skirt, pinafore or blue and white summer dress
• White, black or grey plain socks or navy tights
• Black shoes, no trainers
• No tie required

P.E. Kit

• Light blue plain T-shirt
• Navy shorts, leggings or joggers
• Navy PE hoodie
• Trainers, not school shoes

Chadwick’s Kitchen

Our award-winning in-house catering team, Chadwick’s Kitchen, provides catering services across the Trust.

• Fresh ingredients prepared daily
• Healthy and nutritionally balanced meals
• Medical diets accommodated in partnership with parents
• ParentPay available for payments
• Packed lunches permitted, but nuts and nut-based products are not allowed
• Food waste and sustainability regularly reviewed

Our Trust

We are proud to be part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust.

The Trust covers the east part of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, with schools in East Durham, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Our family of schools work closely together so pupils can flourish, supported by effective transition, close relationships and shared expectations.