About Our School
Our Ethos and Values
Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School is committed to providing a caring, welcoming and secure environment, in which all children feel a sense of belonging; are motivated to work to the best of their ability and where the unique needs and achievements of each child are recognised. We aim to provide a curriculum which is relevant, balanced and in line with statutory requirements. Through the teaching of Judaism (according to Halacha), the promotion of Jewish values, the state of Israel, and the celebration of Jewish worship our children thrive and grow. We hope to foster in our children, a love and understanding of their Jewish faith and heritage.
The five elements that underpin our core values are:
Simcha –
We’re happy when we’re learning, we’re learning when we’re happy.
Middos –
We are kind and we do the best we can in all areas of school life.
Achdus –
We work together to make our school a community.
Ruach –
We all help to make our school a lovely place to be.
Torah –
Learning, thinking, living Torah.
Our Curriculum Values
The six elements that underpin our curriculum values are:
Resilience, Creativity, Critical thinking, Curiosity, Challenge and Culture.
Alongside our academic curriculum, we also believe that children should be taught respect for themselves and others. We aim to instil in our children a caring and responsible attitude towards other people, both within school and the wider community, as well as to develop in them a sense of awareness and understanding of moral, social and environmental issues.
BWJPS was established in 1984 by a group of parents as a Jewish School for the community. The aims were then drawn up by the Spear Trust (Jewish Educational Development Fund). The school has grown and developed, and now provides excellent State Education.
Our school is organised into 4 single form classes and 2 mixed-age class: EYFS (Nursery and Reception), Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5/6. Children enter school at 3 years old into the Foundation Stage, moving into Key Stage One which is Year 1 and Year 2, where the National Curriculum is followed. National Tests are completed at the end of Year 2. Key Stage Two is Years 3,4,5 and 6. National Tests or SATs are also completed at the end of Year 6 before pupils move on to secondary school.
The school runs a Breakfast Club from 8am-8.45am. This club is run by qualified staff. Please ask the school office for prices.
School starts at 8.45am for all. If your child arrives after 8.55am, please report to the school office so that your child can be marked in the register. From Monday – Thurday, school ends at 3.30pm for children in EYFS. For children in Years 1 – 6, the school day ends at 3.45pm. On Fridays, all children finish at 3.30pm.
This equates to 34.75 hours.
Early finishes begin on Friday afternoons between the months of October and March – in line with Shabbos times. These are either 1.30pm or 2.30pm finishes and are detailed on our school calendar.
2.30pm finishes result in 34 hour weeks and 1.30pm finishes result in 33 hour weeks.