About Us
The school is a Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided School catering for boys and girls from 3 - 7 years of age. It is situated next to St Teresa's Parish Church in the Birkdale area of Southport.
The last Ofsted inspection in May 2007 classed the school as an outstanding school in all areas; overall effectiveness, achievement and standards, personal development and well-being, quality of provision and, leadership and management. Favourable comments
include " St Teresa's is an outstanding school where pupils flourish both academically and personally. Achievement is excellent, resulting in standards that are well above average..... These exceptionally high standards have been maintained for many years. Topics exploit the children's natural curiosity and eagerness to learn. Enrichment is extensive....The school often goes the extra mile. "
The school is the recipient
of three Basic Skills Quality Mark Awards. It received the Healthy School's Award in December 2006.
In addition to the Headteacher, the school staff consists of six teachers,
two NNEBs, one Specialised Teacher's Assistant and six Teaching Assistants.
The building comprises four permanent classrooms, a large multi-purpose
hall and a school library and resource area. The school has its own
museum, and a small computer suite and interactive whiteboard in every classroom. There are separate
Infant and Nursery playgrounds, with gardens and a pond.
The school offers all its children a broad and balanced curriculum appropriate
to their age. They are encouraged to fulfil their individual academic
potential to the utmost. The school aims to heighten the pupils' spiritual
awareness and to develop their social skills. The school's curriculum
reflects these objectives and incorporates all the requirements of the
National Curriculum.
Throughout the school a thematic approach is adopted, and various experiences
are balanced to provide a stimulating and challenging environment in
which all our pupils are encouraged to achieve.
Traditionally there are strong links between St Teresa's church and
school. These manifest themselves in numerous ways, especially in the
children's Masses that are held in the school hall.
The school sees the education of the child as a partnership between
home and school. We are very much aware that we depend on our parents
for their whole-hearted support in a variety of areas.
Parents play an active role in the school day, working alongside the
teachers in such activities as craft, cookery, reading and computer
work. A short course is organised by the school to introduce parents
to different elements of the curriculum.
The school is also most grateful for the body of parents who assist
in the vital role of raising money for the school.
Criteria For Entry
The Governors of the school have agreed the following priorities for
admission to the school.
1. Baptised Catholic children living in the parishes of St Joseph and
St Teresa. Proof of birthdate in the form of a Birth Certificate and
proof of Baptism in the form of a Baptismal Certificate is required
(Unless the child is baptised in St Teresa’s.)
2. Baptised children who have a sibling in the school at the time of likely admission.
3. Baptised Catholic children of families which are registered as members
of St Joseph's or St Teresa's parishes.
To be a registered member of St Joseph's or St Teresa's parish a parent/legal
guardian must sign and fulfil this pledge-
a) to observe Canon Law (Canon 1247) by joining in the celebration of
Mass in St Joseph's / St Teresa's church.
b) to support St Joseph's / St Teresa's (Canon 222*1)
c) to join in activities promoted by St Joseph's / St Teresa's parish.
4. Baptised children from other Catholic parishes.
5. If after considering applications made which meet any one of the
above criteria or a combination of one or more of them, there remains
a shortfall in the planned admission number, then the Admissions Committee
will consider applications made by parents of children of other Christian
denominations. It will be necessary for such parents to have expressed
a genuine desire for them to be educated in a Catholic School and to
be fully supportive of its Catholic ethos. Such admissions will be limited
to 10% of the relevant age group. Such an application will need to be
supported in writing by the appropriate minister of religion.
Note 1. In the event of over-subscription in the number of applications
made under category 1 priority will be given to siblings of children
attending the school at time of likely admission.
In the event of any over-subscription in the number of applications made under any of the categories above then the admissions committee will offer places first to children living nearest to the school measured by the shortest walking distance from the child's home to the nearest school gate using the methodology of measurement adopted by the Local Authority.
Note 2. Where applications are received from Catholic and non-Catholic
children in public care they will respectively be admitted to the school
in that priority order