Our School Day

Our School Day

At Our Lady and St Swithin's Catholic Primary School, we believe that children learn best when they feel happy, safe, valued and ready to learn. We work hard to ensure that every child begins the day with a sense of belonging and ends it feeling successful.

Our school gates open at 8:45 a.m., and from the moment children arrive they are warmly welcomed by staff. Children can choose how they would like to be greeted, whether that's with a high five, a handshake, a wave or a hug. These small but important interactions help us build strong relationships and ensure every child starts the day feeling seen, supported and cared for.

Our school day finishes at 3:15 p.m. for all pupils from Reception to Year 6, providing a total of 32.5 hours of education each week, in line with Department for Education expectations.

We know that learning is about much more than what happens at a desk. That's why we have worked hard to create a calm, welcoming and nurturing environment that feels like a genuine home from home. Many of our classrooms and corridors are carpeted, soft furnishings can be found throughout the building, and gentle lighting and calming music help to create a peaceful atmosphere where children can feel comfortable and ready to learn.

We also recognise that every child learns differently. Not all children are able, or expected, to sit at a desk for long periods of time, and some need opportunities to move, regulate and reset throughout the day. As part of our commitment to inclusion and wellbeing, we provide a sensory-friendly environment with sensory corridors, calm corners and dedicated spaces where children can access sensory circuits and self-regulation strategies when needed.

These spaces are not separate from learning; they are part of our commitment to ensuring that every child can successfully access learning, manage their emotions and develop the confidence to thrive. By supporting children to regulate and feel emotionally secure, we help them return to lessons calm, focused and ready to succeed.

Regular attendance plays a vital role in every child's success. Every day in school provides valuable opportunities for learning, friendship, faith development and personal growth. We encourage all pupils to achieve attendance of 97% or above so that they can fully benefit from the rich experiences and opportunities available at our school.

Above all, we want our children to feel comfortable, calm, happy, safe and ready to learn. By creating a nurturing environment where children feel loved and supported, we help them develop the confidence, resilience and independence they need to flourish both academically and personally.

School Day: 8:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Weekly Hours: 32 hours 30 minutes as per Dfe guidance