WINDSOR HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL APPOINTMENT OF Temporary Job Share teacher – P5Key Stage 2 (2 days per week) GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION Windsor Hill Primary School Church Avenue NEWRY BT34 1DY

Enrolment: 215 Telephone: 028 3026 4047 Fax: 028 3025 1564 Principal: Miss I McKane E-mail: info@windsorhill.newry.ni.sch.uk Website: www.windsorhillps.co.uk

SCHOOL PROFILE Windsor Hill Primary School is a co-educational Controlled Primary School in Newry City, with a current enrolment of 215 pupils ranging in ages from 4 to 11 years old. It is a modern brick building consisting of 9 classrooms, a main hall and a kitchen. One of the classrooms has been converted into a computer suite. Recently, due to increased numbers our library had to move to a smaller resource room to accommodate an additional class. In a major refurbishment a few years ago, five classrooms were enlarged and modernised, general storage facilities were improved, and disability access was provided. In March 2013 the SELB funded the installation of a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) at the front of the school which is used throughout the year for PE lessons, sporting activities, after school clubs etc. The school is committed to providing a broad based education where each pupil is encouraged to develop as a life long learner. ICT skills are an important aspect to achieving this goal and Interactive White Boards are in use almost all classrooms. The school also has an ICT suite with C2K networked computers the use of which is timetabled and around 70 ipads which are used to enhance learning.

Curriculum development is of high priority with all staff working together to implement policies and schemes drawn from Northern Ireland Curriculum requirements. Particular emphasis 2015 – 2016 year has been on the development of the World Around Us topics and assessment tasks in Communication, Using Mathematics and Using ICT. The acquisition of skills and knowledge will be placed in the context of the school’s strong Christian ethos. Non denominational religious education, based on Christian teaching, is available to all children. Collective Christian worship takes place on a regular basis and local church leaders are invited in weekly to lead assemblies.

The pupils attending Windsor Hill Primary School reflect the full economic and social spectrum of Newry coming from housing estates on the outskirts of the city, private development areas and the surrounding rural hinterland. Class sizes currently range from 22 to 31 and nearly all classes have a wide ability range. Composite classes do arise from time to time and are organized so as to maximise the educational development of each pupil. At present there is a non teaching principal plus full-time teaching staff of 7, one teacher for 3 days + this 2 day job share and two part-time teachers, one of whom supports pupils experiencing learning difficulties especially in Literacy and another providing in class support with literacy and numeracy and withdrawal support for newcomer pupils. Reading Partnerships are well established in the school to promote reading. A second language, Spanish, is taught from P1 – P6 with this year’s P7 having weekly French classes. The school prides itself on the fact that the children mix very well and are tolerant and respectful of those from a wide range of differing cultures and religious persuasions. This year our link with St Patricks PS, Newry has been re established through the Signature Shared Education Project with shared WAU classes starting in P1, P2 & P5 in Term 3 2016. Other links have been made from time to time with other local Maintained schools and with schools in the Republic of Ireland. Newcomer pupils make up around 20 % of the current enrolment. The school motto is ‘Care, Courtesy and Consideration. To this end good relations are a priority and are encouraged at all levels in school. It is actively promoted through our P7 Prefect System, Playground Pals, Eco-Committee and further enhanced with the school’s involvement in the SELB ‘Welcoming Schools’ initiative. The school has a great sporting tradition and has been very successful in many local and provincial competitions. Hockey, football, netball, athletics and basketball are all currently on offer, mostly to Key Stage 2 pupils as after school activities. Cycling Proficiency is offered to the Year 7 pupils in the summer term. Other after-school activities are offered as and when coaches become available e.g. gymnastics, drama.

Music also features strongly. A school choir regularly meets in school and performs at school concerts, carol services and community events. In recent years some Key Stage 2 pupils have also enjoyed considerable success playing the recorder at Newry Feis. P4 & P5 pupils have also participated in verse speaking and choral speaking at the Feis. A range of after school activities are provided for the children including: Football, Hockey, Art and Craft, Chess Club, Netball, Good News Club and Coding Club. The pupils in Windsor Hill take an active interest in their local and wider community through participation in events and local and regional competitions. It has a strong commitment to promoting environmental awareness. The school has achieved the bronze and silver Eco Schools Award and were awarded the Eco Green Flag for the first time in 2014.