ST HELEN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY in North Lanarkshire, Cumbernauld

Education Centre Information: St Helen's Primary School and Nursery:

Funding Type: State funded
Total Pupils: 408
Age Range: 3-12
Gender: Mixed
School roll: 283
Teacher numbers FTE: 15.4

School Type:

Eco School
Integrated Community School
Primary

Additional Services:

Pre-school/Nursery facility

Background:

Housed in an 'attractive, spacious, bungalow-like building' built in 1974, the school serves the Condorrat area of Cumbernauld, although many parents from the surrounding areas of Westerwood, Craigmarloch, Balloch, Greenfaulds, Dullatur and Blackwood choose to send their children to the school. Although it is Roman Catholic, children from other religions attend and all are treated equally. Proud of its 'warm, purposeful atmosphere' and 'well recognised locally as delivering a high quality curriculum with motivated children and committed, professional staff'. 'Proud that our levels of achievement in reading, writing and mathematics are well above the national average'. Children may attend supported study classes for language and mathematics. St Helen's has a 'positive and successful inclusion policy' and there is easy wheelchair access and appropriate disabled facilities. Senior pupils participate in the Glasgow University Maths Challenge, and have achieved a gold award. St Helen's was a pilot school for the National Grid for Learning and places 'high priority' on information and communication technology. Senior classes learn Italian, all children participate in European Education and the school is working on a European link project with schools in Italy and America. 'Numerous opportunities to express individual talents' include guitar and badminton and children enjoy 'a great deal of success' in national and local sport and art competitions. In 2000, one pupil had her work displayed in the Tate Gallery in London. There are 'strong' community links and partnership with parents is given 'high priority'.