St Matthias a one-and-a-half form entry Church of England Primary School with a Nursery. The children in our care range from three to eleven years old. We are one of eight schools within the Primary Advantage Federation which is in turn overseen by Executive Head Sian Davies. Orlene Badu, our Headteacher, leads teaching and learning in the school and is supported by a strong Senior Leadership Team. They act as the point of contact for parents, children, and staff.
Many of our children join St Matthias in the Nursery, aged three. A place in the Nursery does not guarantee a place in the main school but children meeting the Local authority’s entry requirements will move on to the reception where they will be joined by children new to the school. St Matthias is governed by Hackney’s admission procedures. Full details of the admissions criteria and a copy of the admission form for Reception are available on the Learning Trust website. St Matthias is responsible for nursery admissions, due to new legislation’s all schools across the country can only offer 15 funded hours for free. If you would like to see if you are eligible for 30 hours of free funding.
St Matthias believes that our children have to be supported to achieve and prepare for their lives ahead. Our Christian ethos is underpinned by the principle of ‘Love Thy Neighbour’. We offer a consistent approach to learning to ensure the children have the skills to apply to a variety of situations.
Every year, our students elect two people from each class, who can speak on their behalf. As school councilors, their role is to listen to every child fairly, offer support and advice and give feedback to adults as to how elements of the school could be improved.
Our curriculum is revised annually as it is designed to inspire and motivate pupils while providing for their academic, moral, physical, creative, personal, and social development. Children learn through a careful balance of specific teaching programs and a topic-based approach.
From the Foundation Stage through to Key Stage 2 we recognize the importance of making links across the curriculum. Lessons are designed to ensure pupils acquire knowledge and skills and have opportunities to practice and apply their skills in a range of contexts. We encourage co-operative work, talk, discussion and above all, enjoyment as vehicles for learning in all subjects.
The school carefully monitors the progress of each pupil. Children’s work is assessed formally and informally at appropriate stages. Clear targets are set for improvement and these are shared with the children. Teachers and support staff are continuously monitoring and evaluating children’s progress through marking and observations. Children are encouraged to play an active part in assessing their progress and set targets. We use these assessments to provide appropriate work and to provide additional support if necessary.
St Matthias provides a safe and happy environment for all of our children and staff to learn, develop and excel in their academic and social education. We believe that our children have to be supported to achieve and prepare for their lives ahead. Working together with their families, we will instill the values and care needed to ensure they become responsible, confident, and capable members of society.
Our Christian ethos is underpinned by the principle of ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ and children are encouraged to love themselves and others to ensure respect for all and the right to knowledge. We believe all children must have the necessary skills and attitudes to equip them for an unknown but prosperous future, that allows them to make positive choices about their own lives. We offer a consistent approach to learning to ensure they have the skills necessary to apply to a variety of situations.
Early years education provides the building blocks for a child’s success at primary school. Children in the Nursery and Reception classes have a wide range of opportunities to help them develop socially, learn new skills, and practice them in a safe, vibrant and happy environment. Children learn through playing, exploring, experimenting, and talking. Staff carefully prepare a range of learning opportunities for indoor and outdoor learning all year round. The staff in Nursery and Reception classes work closely together to plan a wide range of learning opportunities. Children are also allocated a key worker with special responsibility for monitoring learning and wellbeing throughout the day.
Children move into Key Stage 1 when they are five, at the end of their reception class year. We are careful to ensure a smooth transition into year 1 by building on their experiences and achievements in the Foundation Stage. Children in Key Stage 1 have a daily literacy and numeracy lesson but continue to learn through a topic-based approach. The children have their own playground space where they can mix with other children of other ages.
Children move into Key Stage 2 when they are seven, at the end of year 2. Our children are taught life skills that help them to understand wider issues such as tolerance and citizenship. They are encouraged to take on greater responsibility for their learning and development. Children are increasingly made aware of learning goals and areas for development. Children in Key Stage 2 continue to have a daily literacy and numeracy lesson.
We are a group of schools working together because we believe our schools can gain many benefits from working collaboratively. We have committed to a shared responsibility to the wider school community, the provision of good quality education, and the improvement of life chances for pupils in the community beyond that of our schools.
Teachers, support staff, school leaders, and governors have added expertise in working alongside colleagues to improve provision and outcomes for our pupils.
