Prospectus
From Cedars School
Cedars School of Excellence, run under the supervision of Struthers Memorial Group of Churches, is an independent school. It originally catered for children from Primary 1 to the end of Secondary 2. In 2006 a 3rd year was introduced, followed by a 4th year in 2007 and a 5th year in 2008. Cedars School was started in 1999 by a group of trained, experienced and caring teachers who wanted to give pupils a chance to develop their full academic and personal potential in a safe, happy environment.
Aims
We aim to maintain a safe, happy environment for pupils in which they can achieve academic success through individual programmes and small class sizes. Personal development will be encouraged through the teaching and example of right standards of conduct together with a varied programme of activities. We aim to maintain fully effective communication with parents through report cards, parents' evenings and keeping an "open door" policy, encouraging parents to contact the school if necessary.
Christian Ethos
It is our intention to ensure that teachers demonstrate their Christian commitment by example, in their relationships with one another, their care for the pupils and the quality of commitment they show in their work.
Christianity will be the chief component of the RE programme, which will have the same place in the school curriculum as is compulsory in state schools. Emphasis will be on the principles of religion rather than on distinctive denominational practices.
Commitment To Excellence
We intend pupils to achieve their own maximum potential, and if they are gifted beyond their peers in a particular subject, they will be encouraged to develop their gift to the full through individual programmes of work which will draw on the expertise and knowledge of highly qualified specialists in each field. Very high achievers will be encouraged to branch out into new fields in their specialism, thus acquiring wider experience than is normally offered in a school curriculum.
The school is committed to aiming for the highest standards possible in all fields of achievement and conduct.
Characteristics
- Christian ethos
- Relaxed, caring and yet disciplined atmosphere
- Courtesy and consideration for others
- Character training
- Dedicated professional staff
- Individual attention - small class sizes
- Well-appointed facilities
- Many educational day trips
- Balance between creative, resourceful teaching methods and traditional values
- Innovative group activities
- Extensive use of latest information technology resources
Academic Advantages
- Small school environment
- Wide variety of work schemes used in a broad curriculum
- Individual/small group work programmes in the primary department
- Individual work stations
- Emphasis on working hard
- Each child achieves his/her maximum potential
- Family atmosphere
- Children learn from and encourage each other
- Smooth transition between stages in school
- Individual responsibility encouraged
- Strong emphasis on a firm grounding in basic skills
- Steady and appropriately paced progress through the Curriculum for Excellence, ensuring smooth transfer to later stages of secondary education
- Attention given to the learning styles of individual pupils whereby appropriate methods of teaching are adopted: individual attention, small group or whole class lessons
- Opportunities for assessment at all stages
- Parents given full reports of child's progress
- Trained professional teachers who have access to in-service and external professional development opportunities
- Highly qualified and experienced Head Teacher and Advisers
- Extensive use made of advice and input from highly qualified academics and professionals
The Curriculum
Infants P1 - 3
The curriculum includes reading/phonics, computation/mathematics, formal/creative writing, topic based work, science, art & craft, cookery, ICT, music, structured play, drama, technology, French, talking and listening skills, health, RE and PE.
Juniors P4 - 7
The curriculum includes reading (informative and narrative), English language and English literature, functional/creative writing, speaking, listening, computation/mathematics, history, modern studies, geography, singing, instrumental tuition, science, art & craft, cookery, conversational French, ICT, health, music, RE and PE.
National Assessments as well as formative and summative assessment methods are an integral part of our work programme.
We believe that as far as possible each child should have an education individually tailored to his/her particular needs.
S1 - S2
In S1 - S2 we will take cognisance of the Curriculum for Excellence guidelines, in that children will continue to undertake a broad general education. There will be classes in English, Maths, French, Science, Computing Studies, Art and Design, History, Geography, Modern Studies, PE, RE, Music, Choir and Enterprise. In addition to this, the children will take part in an afternoon of elective activities under the heading of the 'Broader Curriculum'. Further details of these programmes of study are available on request.
S3 - S5
In S3 - S5 pupils will undertake courses of study leading to qualifications at Standard Grade, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2 and Higher level. Pupils will be able to select a course from the following subjects which are offered at various levels: English, Maths, French, Biology, Chemistry, Computing Studies, Art and Design, History, Drama, Modern Studies and Physics. In addition pupils will undertake non-certificate classes in PE, Music and Enterprise. At various stages they will also study careers.
Primary Homework
In the primary department pupils from P1 - P6 will have homework for four nights a week from August until Easter. Every night they will have reading practice and in addition some written task. From time to time older pupils will have homework assignments. After Easter children will normally only have reading practice.
Secondary Homework
The pace of homework will increase in Secondary as children move through the school and parents can help with this by weekly scrutiny of the homework diary to ensure the work is done. As pupils approach external examinations they will be required to undertake regular, protracted periods of independent home study. Success in these examinations will be greatly influenced by the quality of home study. Additional practice in some subjects is available through the links on this website.
Discipline
In a caring environment where individual needs are catered for there is a high teacher:pupil ratio and good conduct is positively encouraged. A system of praise and reward will prevail, and where behaviour problems arise these will consistently and systematically be dealt with, all teachers using the same procedures and consulting with the Head Teacher as appropriate. Playground supervision at intervals and lunchtimes will help to ensure major problems do not arise. Should a pupil find it impossible to concur with the standards expected we reserve the right to remove a persistent offender from the school roll. Such a measure would only be taken after close liaison with parents, who would be consulted at each significant stage in the disciplinary process. Exceptions to this policy would include a sudden major behaviour incident which calls for immediate radical action.
Parent/teacher partnership
Partnership between the school and parents will be actively encouraged. Initial assessments and information sessions will be conducted before admission. Information on progress will be communicated through report cards and parents will also be informed of innovative developments via letters sent home with pupils. School Open Evenings will allow parents to view the work of the school and discuss the child's class work with teachers. One of the major links between home and school is the school website where there is a wide variety of information for prospective and current parents. The blogs hosted on this website allow families to access a day to day report on children's activities.
Attendance
Children will attend school for approximately the same number of days as children in state schools, but the arrangements will differ slightly in that there will be fewer individual day holidays and shorter terms. The school will contact parents if any child is absent without notification. There will be no additional inservice holidays.
Out of school activities
While a higher proportion of time will be spent outwith school premises than is normal, these outside activities will form part of class teachers' forward planning and will be clearly tied to the curriculum, developing transferable skills. A simple example of this might be learning to budget and then going out to purchase materials for a practical subject. Many out of school activities will relate to topic work and to the Expressive Arts curriculum.
After School Clubs
The school offers a range of after school activities from October to Easter for pupils in P3 - S5. These have included drama, football skills, music technology, computer animation, recorder, arts and crafts, sewing, country dancing, board games and technology. Supported study is also offered for older pupils at appropriate times.
Transport
The school runs a daily bus service between Greenock and Glasgow, with parents making a significant contribution to the cost of this. No other transport is provided to and from the school. Transport for outings will be organised by the school, the minibus being used in accordance with the regulation guidelines pertaining at any given time.
Lunches
Pupils may bring their own packed lunch or purchase a lunch from "Heather's Delicatessen" who sell a range of simple meals in the dining room each day. Lunches vary between soup and a roll, pasta or sandwiches and cost between £1 and £2. For further information see the link on the main page of this website.
School fees
The fees are the same for each year group from Primary 1 - 7 with the secondary fees being higher. All fees are significantly lower than those for most private schools. They are payable monthly by standing order. The scale of fees is outlined on a link from the main page of this website.
Admission
The school is open to applicants from Primary 1 to Secondary 5. An application form can be requested from the address below. It is the school policy to interview parents and children together before an admission is granted, and the school reserves the right to accept or reject an application. Names can be added to waiting lists if the school is full.
Visiting the school
You are very welcome to visit the school, see the children at work and talk to the Head Teacher about any questions you may have or further information you require. If you would like to come and visit us please write or telephone to make an appointment.
Monitoring and management
The school is run by a Board of Governors which includes at least one representative of the Struthers Memorial Church Executive. The day-to-day management is devolved to the Head Teacher.
The school will be regularly inspected by HMI and is obliged to abide by their recommendations. You may read the latest Inspection Report (June 2005) on the internet at www.cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk, or by application to the school.
The accounts of the school are professionally audited on an annual basis and presented as is required to maintain charitable status.
Other information
School Address:
- Cedars School of Excellence
- 31 Ardgowan Square
- Greenock
- PA16 8NJ
- Telephone: 01475 723905
- Email: info@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
- Website: http://cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
For further information and enquires regarding admission please contact the Head Teacher, Mrs Alison Speirs, BA, DCE, Dip SEN, at the above address.
