St Richard’s is an intimate and nurturing place for every child to learn, whatever their background. The atmosphere is calm, ordered, and purposeful – never rigid or over directed - but disciplined, respectful, and organized. We have high aspirations for all our pupils and believe that through stretching children we build their confidence and self-esteem.
The school is positioned in the center of Ham and with this in mind we constantly look for opportunities to serve our local community, helping to shape its future through the children who attend our school. Central to my purpose is that the children here learn to give from the heart, in response to the needs of others, rather than out of obligation.
The school gathers daily to reflect upon important issues, to worship together, and to consider the Christian principles that are at the heart of our ethos. Within this loving, compassionate environment, we find that teaching and learning are all the more effective right across the curriculum.
Acorns is an afternoon playgroup, which runs in our Nursery learning area and takes children from 2 years old. Nursery children may also apply for a place at Acorns (known as an extended place). These applications are made alongside nursery applications. We have 30 places available in our extremely popular Nursery class. This ensures a stable learning environment and the best possible monitoring of each child's needs throughout this critical stage in their development.
Applications should be made any time after your child's 2nd birthday by contacting the school office. Parents must complete a St Richard's Nursery Application Form. There are 30 places in the Reception class and children are admitted in the academic year in which they turn five years old. For September 2018, this means children whose date of birth falls between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014. Parents/ Carers must apply to the Local Authority and the school for a Reception Application form. Both forms must be completed for an application to be valid. For in-year admissions, please contact us and we will let you know if we have a space available.
For a small number of children, accessing the curriculum can be difficult. If we feel a child is experiencing difficulties with their learning that are outside the normal parameters we will consider registering their special needs at the appropriate level in line with the SEND code of practice. We know that high-quality teaching in the classroom with their peer group is vital however this may need to be supplemented. In addition to the support listed above some children with SEND may benefit from one-to-one support with the literacy of mathematics speech therapy or for special learning difficulties. Sometimes a child has needs we feel would be best met with an Educational, Health and Care Plan, (ECHP). If this is the case we work closely with parents and professionals to make the process of applying as straightforward as possible.
At St Richard’s we are fully committed to keeping our pupils safe. If anyone has any child protection concerns whatsoever they should immediately notify a member of our Child Protection Team who will take appropriate action and advice. This may include calling the Single Point of Access at Achieving for Children. If you do not feel you want to talk to someone in school please contact SPA direct. If the matter is about a member of staff please contact our Safeguarding Governor. Contact details are available from the School Office. If you have any Health and Safety concerns please notify a member of the Leadership Team, the Health and Safety Team, and/ or the School Office immediately.
Our wonderful school was first opened in 1890, replacing an earlier Ham Village School. Originally called St Andrew’s School, we were situated in what is now St Thomas Aquinas Church on the corner of Ham Common. Funds to build the school were raised by local charities, subscriptions, and the National Society, a Church of England body for the promotion of church schools and Christian education.
When it opened, the school had a capacity of 100 boys and 101 girls. As Ham Common at the time had so many activities taking place, including horse racing, the children were often distracted on their way into school every day. Mr. Alfred Hedger, Headmaster between 1919-1940, would entertain the children with stories of his holiday climbing expeditions to the Matterhorn mountain in the Alps. Then as now, the school had a very successful football team called ‘The Hammers’.
The school swimming pool was opened on Saturday 13th May 1972. The £4,300 cost of the swimming pool and changing rooms were raised by pupils, staff, parents, and friends over three years. On the day, there was a Grand Opening by Mr. Hugh Wheldon, Managing Director of BBC Television, who opened the pool with the words, “This project is a monument to the enterprise. These people have done it themselves. Let this be an example to others”. There was a swimming gala to close the Grand Opening and the winning team received a trophy.
