Crèche

Parents can bring babies and young children into the crèche at any time during the service. There is a register to sign, a name label and we like to know roughly where the parents are sitting in case they are needed.

The crèche is available during the 10.00 am Sunday service and is located on the 1^st floor, above the kitchen area. Access is via the stairs to the right of the main doors as you enter the church - please ask the churchwardens or sidespeople for directions if you are unsure of where this is. The creche normally closes in time for the children to join their parents for a blessing at the altar, so you need to come and collect them by the end of the Eucharistic Prayer.

The crèche is staffed by two members of the congregation who are CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked, except for the 1^st Sunday in the month when we have Celebrating Together. We open the room on the 1^st Sunday in case parents wish to use the facilities themselves.

We feel the crèche is an important aspect of our worship because it enables:

• parents to fully participate in most of the service;
• children to meet new friends with whom they can progress through the various age related activities in the church.

The crèche has a range of age related toys. Should parents need to stay in the creche initially to settle their child an intercom system relays the service to the room. Carers will not feed the children and do not normally change nappies. If parents are needed to attend to their child they will be asked to return to the crèche by one of the volunteers.

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Sunday School

The Sunday School runs during the 10.00 am Sunday service for children aged 3-8 years. Sunday School takes place in the Church Hall which is located past the Glebe (the grassy area beside the church) down Tooting Bee Gardens - please ask the churchwardens or sides people for directions if you are unsure where this is. Entrance is through the double doors at the front of the hall. Parents are asked to register their children on arrival. It is helpful if you can arrive promptly for the start of activities.

The Sunday School returns to church in time for children to join their parents for a blessing or communion at the altar. The children are brought back to church from the hall across the Glebe by the Sunday School leaders and attending parents. If the parents are already in church their children can join them in saved seats with less likelihood of families being separated for the conclusion of the service and Blessing.

There is a team of CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked leaders who take it in turns to lead the children in age appropriate worship and activities. The results of their activities are often displayed in the Narthex. The Sunday School provides an opportunity for young children to hear bible stories, to pray and to worship. Children meet their friends and make new friends with whom they can attend church through their formative years and meet together to share Christ’s love. Following a period of worship together activities are provided for children aged 3-5 years and 6-8 years. A collection is taken during Sunday School; you might like to give your child a coin to put in.

A number of parents chose to remain with their children as they settle into Sunday School and help with some activities, but once this phase is over parents are encouraged to leave their children and enjoy worship in the main body of the church. If a parent stays in Sunday School they are required to complete a self-disclosure form to comply with our safeguarding policy.

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9-13s Group

The 9-13s group is held during the 10.00 am Sunday service in the Chapel of Unity, off the Narthex - please ask the churchwardens or sides people for directions if you are unsure where this is. The group begins after the clergy and choir have left the chapel and processed into the main church. Participants are asked to register at the start and it is good if all arrive for the start to ensure they contribute to the discussion of plans for the session. Members of the group join the main congregation at the Peace in order to participate in communion.

Sessions are run by two from a team of CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked leaders who take it in turns to lead the children in age appropriate worship and activities.

The 9-13s group builds upon friendships established in Sunday School, and welcomes young people new to church and helps them feel part of the congregation. The group provides an opportunity for young people to explore their faith using a range of activities.

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14+ Group

This group usually meets on a Sunday outside the times of church services. The group determines its own programme. Activities are often of a more social nature, enabling young Christians to share in fun as well as more worship focused gatherings. So far we have been skating and had trips out or a pizza accompanied by like-minded older members of the congregation.

Whatever activities are undertaken, at least two of the accompanying adults will be CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked.

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Toddler Church

• Toddler Church is a service especially designed for babies and pre-school children.
• Toddler Church meets in church from 10.30-11.30 am on Mondays during the school term.
• We start with a short service which includes songs with actions and musical instruments for the children to play.
• A short bible story is told, often using dolls and other toys to illustrate it, followed by a prayer time. The service lasts about 20 minutes.
• After the service there is a time for free play in the church with suitable toys, including some borrowed from the toy library.
• While the children are playing together there is a chance for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat for parents/carers.

The service is designed to introduce the children to worship and prayer. We have found it helps the children understand better what is happening on a Sunday. You may also find it gives you some ideas for praying with your child and sharing your faith with him or her.

Toddler Church is a very friendly group, and new families are always welcome. Toddler Church can be a good way of getting to know other members of the congregation who have young children and provides an opportunity for both adults and children to make new friends. Please make sure you and your child sign in when you come.

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Uniformed Organisations

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are open to boys and girls.

Beavers is for children aged 6-8 years. Beavers meet in the church hall on Tuesdays between 6 - 7 pm during term time.

Cubs is for children aged 9-11 years. They meet in the church hall on Tuesdays between 7 - 8.30 pm during term time.

Scouts is for children aged 11-14 years. They meet in the church hall on Fridays between 7.15 - 9.15 pm during term time.

If your child would like to join any of these groups please either bring them along during one of the sessions in the Hall or contact the Group Scout Leader (see Contacts page).

Brownies is for girls aged 7-10 years. They meet in the Church Hall on Thursdays between 6 - 7.30 pm during term time. If your child would like to join Brownies then contact the Brownie Leader (see Contacts page).

Guides is for girls aged 10-14 years. Guides meet in the Church Hall on Wednesdays between 6.45 - 8.15 pm during term time. If your child would like to join Guides then contact the Guide Leader (see Contacts page).

Explorer Scouts is for young people from 14-18 years. The Explorer Unit has close links with St Leonard’s although they are not part of our Scout Troop. They meet at Julian’s School, Leigham Court Road on Thursdays between 7.30 - 9 pm.

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Parent Time

Parent Time is a small and informal group of parents from St Leonard’s Toddler Church who meet about once a month to share our experiences as parents of young children. It’s a very friendly and supportive environment in which to share ideas, ask for advice, give thanks and pray for one another. Anyone with pre-school or primary school age children would be welcome to join us.

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St Leonard’s CE Primary School - Admissions Information and Criteria

MISSION STATEMENT: As a Christian school, we are a continuing learning community. We respect each other’s individuality in a safe and caring environment. We strive to develop each child as an independent learner, by creating opportunities through which the children can develop and excel to reach their full potential, making children good and reliable community members for the future.

Each year the Governing Body of St Leonard’s CE Primary School offer places to 30 children. Children are normally admitted to school in September.

St Leonard’s CE Primary School is part of the Primary Co-ordinated Scheme, which is managed by Lambeth. Therefore parents/carers, who are applying for a place in Reception, must ensure that a Common Application Form is completed for their child and returned to Lambeth Authority. The Authority will notify parents/carers, by letter, of the Governors’ decision on admissions.

Parents should apply between 1^st November and 15^th January of the year before the child’s fifth birthday, but this in no way guarantees that a place will be offered as we do not operate a “first come, first served” system. The school is usually over-subscribed and the governors are unable to accept all the children seeking admission.

The Supplementary Information Form, for admittance on Church Attendance criteria, must be returned to the school. The Common Application Form must be sent to Lambeth Authority.

Parents applying for a place at this school do so knowing that the school aims to provide an education based on Christian principles and therefore the Governors hope that all pupils will take part in the Christian worship of the school and will attend Religious Education lessons.

Parents of children who do not gain admission have the right to appeal against the decision. Application for appeal forms should be made to the school, in writing, within ten days of notification of a refusal. Completed forms should be returned to the Clerk to the Admissions Panel, at St Leonard’s School, within ten days of receipt. The appeal decision will be final and binding.

Unsuccessful applications will be kept on our Waiting List for one term, after which parents will have to reapply should they require a place at St Leonard’s CE School in the future.

Our admission policy gives priority as follows:

For full details and forms please see the Parents section of the school website.

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