Aims and Objectives

Aims and objectives

At Rastrick Preparatory School and Nursery we aim to provide a happy and stimulating environment for children. In particular we wish to:

• Provide a high standard of play, care and education according to each child’s needs
• Help each child develop intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially
• Challenge our children to achieve the best of themselves through our high expectations
• Develop an understanding of each child’s individuality, and present a curriculum which meets their individual needs
• Create a setting where parents, children and staff all respect and care for each other in a happy and relaxed atmosphere
• Share our knowledge of your child with you as a parent
• Work in a racially integrated environment which is positive about the cultural identity of all children. This is reflected in the choice of toys, books, display materials, music and food
• Encourage parents to work with staff to avoid the perpetuation of racial or cultural prejudices
• Work in an environment which promotes gender equality
• Show our children, by precept and by example of good relationships, the value of tolerance
• Enable children to have an in-built respect for all other people and the world around them
• Encourage all children to have a positive image of themselves and to be empowered with the personal and interpersonal skills necessary for their participation in society
• Provide for children with special needs within the school
• Instil a sense of corporate and community contribution
• Demonstrate the value of hard work in pursuit of personal goals
• Instil a sense of wonder at what there is to discover about themselves and the world they live in, and give them the confidence to begin discovering it

Discipline

The school has a coherent discipline policy which forbids the use of corporal punishment. Acceptable codes of behaviour are explained to children at an early and appropriate stage. The approach by staff is always consistent and fair.

If necessary, a child may be segregated from the main group, but never for more than two minutes. Staff will deal firmly with situations as they arise, talking things through with the child or children, and explaining why their behaviour is unacceptable. An apology, hugs and ‘making friends’ again are always encouraged.

Persistent unacceptable behaviour is discussed with parents: we will seek reasons and ways to solve the problem. However, this kind of behaviour is often part of a learning process and the skilled and professional staff are usually able to deal with it as part of their daily routines.