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Learners at St Barnabas, while not put under unnecessary pressure, as happens in some schools, meet the same academic standards of all good schools. All learners work towards meeting the requirements of the National Senior Certificate. We comply with Umalusi Accreditation standards and currently have full accreditation. To offer a supportive, nurturing environment within a Christian ethos whereby learners are allowed to reach their full potential as they grow into productive members of their communities Provide quality education in a structured, disciplined yet homely environment. Provide support and guidance within our parameters for learners who have unique needs. We also provide small classes where learners are known and feel cared about. We focus on individual academic achievement and personal goals. Children function better in small groups where there is less distraction and they feel at ease asking questions and participating in a relaxed but controlled environment. St Barnabas caters to learners who thrive in a small environment where they can develop to their full potential. Due to its small size, we can accommodate learners with a wide variety of needs. However, St Barnabas is not a remedial school but we believe in inclusivity and have a wide range of learners, from high performers to those who experience some barriers to learning. Established in 2000 by Valerie Illidge, St Barnabas developed from a small home school into a registered and recognized Independent School offering tuition in a small, homely environment. The school has a Christian ethos but welcomes learners from all backgrounds provided they are mindful and respectful of this ethos. The school is proud of its 100% Matric pass rate since the inception of the National Senior Certificate in 2008. Class sizes are usually very small with an average teacher-learner ratio of 1:6. The school has a hard-working staff and Valerie Illidge believes it is the combination of a dedicated staff working in partnership with parents and learners which allows the school to thrive and to succeed. The core focus of the school is to offer academic support and guidance to learners. Sporting opportunities are included in the Life Orientation program. For learners who show potential, there are referrals to the many sports clubs in the area. To determine whether we are right for your child, feel free to contact us to make an appointment. View full school

St Barnabas is a vibrant school in the heart of Openshaw. We place a strong emphasis on the individual child and encourage our children to make the most of each opportunity, to gain the best from their education within our Christian setting. We work with the children to help them prepare for the ever-changing world in which we live and to develop their skills to sustain life-long learning as well as strong self-belief and spirituality. St Barnabas is committed to eradicating the stigma associated with mental health. We have a newly established staff well-being committee and have signed up for a time to change. Our vision and values, Encourage, Inspire, Believe, Achieve, are at the core of everything we do alongside our firm belief that our actions should embody the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in the fruit of the spirit They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils as confident, happy citizens. St Barnabas Academy develops all children to achieve personally and academically so that they can think for themselves and articulate their views, reasonably, with the emotional resilience necessary to thrive in the ever-changing wider world. The teachers at St Barnabas have worked together to create a Teaching and Learning Promise linked to the teaching standards which is used to help pupils set targets in line with the skills and attributes needed to be good learners. E-Safety is an important part of keeping children safe and St Barnabas C of E Primary Academy has extensive security measures in place to help safeguard pupils from potential dangers or unsuitable material. e-Safety is taught to all pupils explaining and demonstrating how to stay safe and behave appropriately online. However, we can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work with parents to ensure the e-Safety message is consistent. Parents must speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online. It is essential to be realistic, the internet and technological advancements are here to stay banning them will not work – often it makes a child less likely to report a problem. Education around safe use is therefore essential. The Department for Education states that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.” We value the diverse backgrounds of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We, also, actively challenge opinions contrary to these British values. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws. They are also taught to take responsibility for their actions and the consequences for themselves and others if rules and laws are broken. Our positive behavior policy encourages tolerance and mutual respect. The Department for Education states that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.” We value the diverse backgrounds of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We, also, actively challenge opinions contrary to these British values. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws. They are also taught to take responsibility for their actions and the consequences for themselves and others if rules and laws are broken. Our positive behavior policy encourages tolerance and mutual respect. The importance of rules and laws for the class, the school, or the country, are reinforced. All rules are clearly understood so that all children can learn in a safe and happy environment. Also, within our computing curriculum, there is an emphasis on E-Safety which as part of it teaches how to be respectful to other users of the Internet. Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safe examples of this can be seen in our clubs, overnight residential visits, and PSHE lessons. Respect is one of the core values of our school and it is deeply embedded in our academy rules class codes of conduct and all that we do at the school. The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have. We enhance pupils understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies and Collective Worship. Beliefs, traditions, and customs are studied in depth. Through this, our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. View full school