Business Details
Welcome to St Malachy's Catholic Primary School
St Malachy's Catholic Primary School is a trusted educational institution dedicated to delivering high-quality Catholic education within the Calderdale and Kirklees local authority areas. As part of The Blessed Peter Snow Catholic Academy Trust, we leverage collective expertise from partner schools to enhance our academic offerings and community impact. Our curriculum prioritises historical understanding, local and global awareness, and critical thinking skills, supported by experienced staff committed to nurturing every child's potential. We maintain strong partnerships with Catholic parishes and diocesan bodies to enrich our spiritual and academic environment. Our school fosters British values through a structured prayer life, sacramental preparation, and virtue-based character development.With modern facilities and a focus on early years education, we provide a secure foundation for lifelong learning. Our extracurricular programmes and flexible childcare options support working families while maintaining educational continuity. We actively engage parents through regular communication channels and community events, ensuring transparency and collaboration. Our safeguarding policies and GDPR compliance demonstrate our commitment to child protection and data security. As an exempt charity registered in England and Wales, we uphold rigorous standards of accountability and educational excellence.
Services
Early Years Foundation Stage
Religious Education
English Phonics
Mathematics
Science
Art
Computing
Geography
History
Music
Highlights and features
- We are part of The Blessed Peter Snow Catholic Academy Trust network
- Our curriculum integrates local history with global perspectives
- Experienced staff deliver specialist subject teaching
- Strong partnerships with Catholic parishes and diocesan bodies
- Modern facilities with dedicated forest school learning areas
Services
Early Years Foundation Stage
Our Early Years Foundation Stage programme prepares children aged 3-5 for formal schooling through play-based learning. Qualified practitioners deliver structured activities focusing on communication, physical development, and personal, social and emotional growth. The curriculum incorporates forest school experiences and specialist teaching in literacy and numeracy fundamentals.
Religious Education
Catholic religious education forms the spiritual foundation of our curriculum. Students engage with scripture, sacramental preparation, and moral theology through age-appropriate lessons. Regular parish Masses and prayer services reinforce our commitment to faith development alongside academic instruction.
English Phonics
Systematic synthetic phonics teaching ensures reading proficiency from Reception onwards. Our structured programme develops decoding skills, comprehension, and writing ability through daily practice and cross-curricular application. Specialist resources support differentiated instruction for varying ability levels.
Mathematics
Mathematics instruction follows the national curriculum with emphasis on problem-solving and real-world applications. Daily lessons build conceptual understanding through concrete-pictorial-abstract progression. Regular assessments inform targeted support and extension activities for advanced learners.
Science
Practical science lessons develop investigative skills across biology, chemistry and physics topics. Students learn the scientific method through hands-on experiments and outdoor learning. Cross-curricular links with mathematics and computing enhance analytical thinking and data interpretation abilities.
People
Mr Oliver Harper
Headteacher
Mr Harper leads our school with over 15 years' experience in Catholic education. He champions inclusive learning and curriculum innovation while maintaining strong links with partner schools in The Blessed Peter Snow Catholic Academy Trust.
Mrs Claire Adams
Office Manager
Mrs Adams oversees school administration with 10 years' experience in educational management. She ensures efficient operations and serves as primary contact for parental inquiries, maintaining our commitment to clear communication.
Mrs Hannah Harper
SENDCO
As Special Educational Needs Coordinator, Mrs Harper supports pupils with diverse learning requirements. She implements individualised education plans and collaborates with external specialists to ensure inclusive provision across all year groups.
Questions
What are your school's admission criteria?
As a Catholic school, we prioritise children from practising Catholic families. We follow Calderdale Local Authority's coordinated admissions scheme and accept applications through the local authority's online system.
Do you offer nursery provision?
Yes, our nursery accepts children from age 3. We offer flexible sessions including our popular 'Stay and Play' programme, with qualified early years practitioners delivering curriculum-aligned activities in our dedicated learning environment.
What extra-curricular activities are available?
We provide after-school clubs in sports, arts, and STEM subjects. Current options include football, coding, and choir. All activities align with our curriculum goals and child protection policies.
How do you support special educational needs?
Our SENDCO works with class teachers to create individual education plans. We access specialist support from the Diocesan Advisory Service and maintain close links with external agencies to ensure appropriate provision.
What safeguarding measures are in place?
We maintain rigorous safeguarding protocols including DBS-checked staff, secure premises, and regular child protection training. Our policies align with Diocesan guidelines and are reviewed annually by the Academy Council.
How can parents get involved?
Parents participate through our Home School Association, volunteer reading programmes, and curriculum workshops. We hold regular family events including our annual St Malachy's Feast Day celebrations and parish Masses.
