A message from the Headteacher 

Welcome to our school! Here at St Francis' we strive to enable every child to 'be the best they can be,' during their junior school years. Working as a team, both at home and in school, is key to enabling pupils to thrive. You can find members of the Senior Leadership Team, available for you, by the school gate at drop off and pick up. Teaching staff, Senior Leaders, Positive Futures Worker and the administration team will all work alongside you to ensure the best outcomes academically, socially and emotionally for your child. 

We hope that you will find this website interesting and helpful in developing your understanding of our aims for every child. 

Mrs Lisa Lakey (Headteacher)

A message from the Chair of Governors

On behalf of the Governing Body, I would like to welcome you to the St Francis (CE) Junior school website.

Our Headteacher, Mrs Lakey, is responsible for the day to day running of the school together with the members of the Senior Management Team and all members of staff make a valuable contribution to making our school the wonderful place it is for all our children to learn and grow in.

We, as governors, are responsible for supporting and challenging the school leadership team, monitoring the quality of teaching, the progress of school improvement and the oversight of behaviour and safety throughout the school. We are also involved in the financial side of the school and take part in discussions about how our money is spent. The governors can also participate, to a greater or lesser degree, in the appointment of members of staff including the Head and Deputy if and when vacancies arise.

From time-to-time vacancies arise for governors, especially Parent Governors, and it is particularly important that parents are fully represented on the Governing Body. As a governor you will be expected to attend full GB meetings which are normally held once every term. You will also be asked to be a member of one of the committees which look more closely at various aspects of school life. These committees also meet every term. You will also need to take training courses to help you understand and contribute to the work governors do for the school. Governors are not paid for any work that they do and will be expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct, but you will get great satisfaction from making a vital contribution to the school and everyone involved with it. In your first year you will be supported by the Chair and other experienced governors who will guide you through this time. If you would like to speak to a governor or become one, then please contact the school and arrangements will be made for you to talk to the Chair or another governor.

A useful website which can give you more information is www.governet.co.uk

David Bowes

Chair of Governors

A message from Reverend Ann Anderson

Hello!  Parents / families!!  Whether you are already a part of the St. Francis’ School family or you are just having a peep at the school website…WELCOME!

There are some things you need to know if you do not know already!  St. Francis’ School is like a family where each child is loved, accepted, encouraged and nurtured according to their individual needs.  It is one family celebrating each individual. As a Christian family as we regularly have fun learning about Jesus and His teaching, about love, kindness, respect, forgiveness and peace. 

The teaching staff put 100% into the care of the children here, so that they develop not just in their education, but socially and emotionally too.  Using Philosophy for children, (P4C) helps them become wise little bodies able to flourish!  Such care tends to lead to positive behaviour, a growing self esteem and really great achievement! 

We work closely together to give the children a very holistic experience of care and encouragement, celebrating an act of collective worship every week, we journey together learning very gently as we go.  Our ethos is built around Matthew 5:14-16,

 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” 

In a nutshell, St. Francis’ School lifts children up, their gifts, potential, character and all that is good, and enables them to shine! 

I am the Church of England Team Rector (the vicar!), here for this wonderful school and here for you.  You can contact me through school or on the Parish of Great Aycliffe Facebook page, if I can be of any help whatsoever please do not hesitate to be in touch.  If we can pray for any family concerns, in confidence, please give me a call.

Reverend Ann Anderson

A message from Bishop Paul Butler

It has been my privilege over many years to visit schools in many different places. This has been across England but also in some of the very poorest countries in the world, like Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. It does not matter where I see schools at work, I am always impressed by the dedication of teachers and the longing of parents to want the very best for their children. As a parent I know you want the very best for your child. The Church of England is engaged in schools because it too wants the very best for every child. Every child matters because every child is special. Naturally they are special to you, their parent or carer, and to grandparents. They are also very special to the school. This is particularly true for us in church schools because of what we believe about the value God places on every child. Jesus’ friends were arguing one day about who was the greatest in God’s kingdom. Jesus took a small child, stood him or her amongst the group and told all the adults that unless they became like this child they could never enter God’s kingdom. I often wonder just how very special that child felt that day. We want that sense of being loved, accepted and valued to be at the very heart of our schools, and of your child’s education.

Education matters because it provides building blocks for life now and into the future. We seek to offer the very best education we can in every school. This is not simply about the important matters of reading, writing, numbers and the like. It is also about the values by which we behave, and the kind of people we want to be. We believe our church schools offer great all round education for every child. I love being able to visit schools and meet children. They are always enthusiastic, welcoming and brilliant at asking tough questions. Their zeal for learning is inspiring. So welcome to one of our wonderful church schools. I trust your child will find they grow and develop well throughout their time here.

Bishop Paul Butler