THE SCHOOL

St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, situated in the centre of Pontefract is a Voluntary Aided Co-educational, Day School, which admits children in the academic year in which they are 5 years to 11 years.  There is also a Lower Foundation Stage to which children who are 3 years 4 months approx. are admitted.

Children are admitted to the Upper Foundation Stage of the main School during the year that they reach the age of 5.  There are two intakes per academic year into the Upper Foundation Stage. 

1.  Children who reach 5 years of age between 1st September and 31st December in the academic year in
     question enter School in the September of that year.

2.  Children who reach 5 years of age between 1st January and 31st August in the academic year in
     question enter school in January of that year.

The Governors reserve the right to change the dividing line for admissions into the upper Foundation Stage in any one year if there is a predominance on either side of that dividing line.

At present the school is organised into Foundation Stage and six class units, primarily based on age, but in order to care for the full age-range, some classes may contain mixed-age groups.  The staffing ratio is based on the STANDARD NUMBER of one teacher per 30 pupils, exclusive of the Headteacher.  The organisation of the classes is such that every class contains children of mixed academic ability.

A Catholic School is a community of teachers and pupils, linked closely with the parents of those pupils.
It is concerned with the teachings of Christ, and helping to form Him in the lives of others.  It is concerned with the physical, moral and intellectual life of its pupils, and aims to give them a sense of responsibility, a right use of freedom and the training to take an active part in social life.  It is this
concern for the spiritual, which distinguishes it from other schools.

The doctrinal basis of this life comes in the teaching of religion, but it is the training to live a Catholic life which is its major function.  It is concerned with the life of the pupil after leaving school and, therefore, is concerned with teaching secular subjects, of constantly improving its teaching and making every use of suitable new opportunities to broaden this teaching.

Parents of all children who attend the school and parents of prospective pupils are most welcome to visit the school at any time, but it would be advantageous to telephone the school for an appointment, to ensure the availability of the Head and staff.

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