St George's RC Primary School

Infobox UK school
name = St. George's RC Primary School, York


size = 250px
motto = Signum Fidei
established = 1852
type = Primary School
head = Mrs. R. Mazza
street = Winterscale Street
city = York
county = North Yorkshire
country = England
enrollment = 200
lower_age = 3
upper_age = 11
publication =
website = http://www.stgeorgesrc-york.org.uk/

St. George's RC Primary School is a mixed Roman Catholic primary school serving the city centre Parish of St. George in York, North Yorkshire, England. The school is for boys and girls aged 3-11 with an Early Years Unit for 3-5 year olds. It is a successful school with notable strengths in Creativity and the Performing Arts.

The History of St. George's

Although girls had been educated at the Bar Convent since its inception in 1686 the first public Catholic School in York was opened by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1844 on their premises in Blossom Street and called ‘St Mary’s Day School’. In 1852 a new school was built in Margaret Street adjacent to St George’s Church at a cost of £1,700. Of this £200 was given by the Catholic Poor Schools’ Committee and the rest raised by the people of York and an income of £23 was secured as an endowment. This school was staffed first by the IBVM until 1874 and later by the Sisters of Charity, the Order founded by St Vincent de Paul in 1633. The curriculum included spelling, writing, geography, arithmetic and history and parents were expected to subscribe a penny or twopence for girls.

By 1867 there were 305 on the roll, and by 1900 the numbers had risen to 534. Because of this increase St George’s Wesleyan Chapel in Chapel Row built in 1824 was purchased in 1897, modified and extended and opened as a new junior and infant school in 1900, this was the precursor of the present school.

In 1950 our current school building was planned, but various delays meant that work did not begin until May 1976 and was completed in September 1977 at a cost of over £200,000. The general plan consists of three units of twinned classrooms,each sharing a project area built around a central hall, together with a Nursery and Reception Area, an administrative block, kitchen and a caretaker’s house. The school stands in impressive grounds, complete with gardens, a playing field and a newly constructed allotment. It is situated not far from the city centre on Fishergate [The History of St. George's School, York by Helen Glendinning] .

The School

St. George's is noted for its strengths in Creativity and the Performing Arts. It has been awarded the Gold Arts Mark, and has strong links with local theatres and professional performers. St. George's achieved the 'Healthy School' award for its commitment to PE, sport and healthy lifestyle education. The school also holds the Basic Skills Quality Mark and the Football Association Charter Standard [OfSTED Report, St. George's RC Primary School York (2006)] . St. George's offers a wide range of extra curricular activities, both during and after school, including [Official School Profile - direct.gov.uk] :::::* Access to before and after school care,::* Football, Netball, Rugby, Tennis and Swimming,::* Music Tuition,::* Choir,::* Dance Club::* Drama Production Club,::* Languages Club - French & German,::* Chess Club,::* Sport Tournaments and Competitions,::* York Drama Festival

Recent OfSTED Report

"Pupils are happy, enjoy school and behave well. Those who join throughout each year group are welcomed and quickly make friends because pupils get on well and are very caring. Relationships are strong. Pupils are respectful, confident to take initiative and keen to take on responsibilities. All this helps them in their learning and prepares them well for their future. The school provides a good level of care for its pupils and is successful in promoting their personal development through a lively extended community". OfSTED (2006: 2)

"The curriculum is enlivened through interesting activities including performing arts, which the school promotes well. A good range of well attended extra-curricular opportunities brings added enjoyment for pupils". OfSTED (2006: 4)

"Pupils are punctual, enjoy school and describe lessons as ‘fun’. Relationships between staff and pupils are good. Pupils’ mature attitudes enhance their learning. For instance, they particularly enjoy and benefit from working collaboratively. Pupils’ spiritual, moral and social development is good and at the heart of the school. This generates a unity of purpose and provides pupils with a good understanding of how they can contribute to the wider community". OfSTED (2006: 5)

External links

* [http://www.stgeorgesrc-york.org.uk/index.php Official School Website]
* [http://www.stgeorgesrc-york.org.uk/pdfs/PublishedReportDecember2006.pdf Official OfSTED Report - December 2006]
* [http://stgeorgeschurch-york.org.uk/ St. George's Church Website]
* [http://middlesbrough-diocese.org.uk/ The Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough Website]