Please see the button that links to the Cumberland website to check our term dates.
We can not authorise holidays taken during term times, so please make sure that you check these dates carefully.
Building confident, consistent learning habits — together
At Norman Street, we believe that a little bit of learning every day, at home as well as at school, makes a big difference. Our approach to homework is designed to be simple, purposeful and enjoyable — helping every child build confidence, consistency and a love of learning, one step at a time.
After listening carefully to feedback from families and staff, we have brought back a fun and interactive approach to home learning, alongside a renewed focus on daily reading. These changes are designed to help every child feel confident and successful — and we need your support in making them happen.
Every child should read at home for at least 10 minutes each day. Please record what they’ve read in the yellow reading record provided by school. Older children can fill this in themselves, but we’d love families to check in and encourage them along the way.
Reading books and records need to come back to school every day — this really matters, because children use their reading books throughout the school day. Forgetting them can make it harder for children to build fluency and enjoy reading, so please help make this a morning priority! Staff check daily that books and records are in school.
Children use two fantastic online platforms, Learning by Questions and Times Table Rockstars, to make maths fun while practising key skills and consolidating what they’ve learned in class.
Each Friday, your child’s teacher sets tasks on both platforms. Children have the whole week to complete them, and staff check progress the following Friday. Login details are shared via Arbor and inside the front cover of your child’s reading record.
How do we keep children motivated?
Introducing the Norman Street Learning Streak!
Children earn stamps on their streak card for completing daily reading and weekly maths tasks. When they collect three stamps, they get a dip in our Learning Streak Prize Box — and a streak for reading and a streak for maths means double prizes! We also celebrate our streak champions in assembly every week, because we believe effort deserves recognition.
We are here to make sure every child gets their learning streak. If you think you might need a little extra support — for example, limited access to technology at home — please don’t hesitate to speak to Mrs Bev Ramshaw, our Parent Liaison. You’ll find her on the gate most mornings, or you can email her directly:
parentliaison@normanst.cumbria.sch.uk
Kind. Brave. Fair. That’s the Normie Way.
We’re really looking forward to seeing our Normies enjoy these challenges and grow in confidence. Thank you for supporting us in making home learning positive and rewarding for every child.
Our school newsletter is emailed out weekly and is accessible by clicking the link. It is also available on our Facebook page and on our school website. You can find a list of important dates and events for the half term ahead on the newsletter.
Being punctual to school is very important. Our gates open at 8:30am, our families are welcome to be on the yard from this time. Staff are available from 8:35am each morning to talk with before the whistle is blown at 8:40am.
Children line up on the playgrounds in their classes with their teachers. Children in KS1 (Y1, Y2) line up on the top playground which is accessible from the main school gates on Furze Street. Children in KS2 (Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6) line up on the bottom playground which is accessible from the gate on Norman Street. Children in Reception are welcomed into school from 8:35am at the Reception door until 8:45am. This is accessible from the main school gates on Furze Street.
At the end of the day, children are brought out to the playgrounds with their teachers at 3:15pm. Children in KS1 (Y1, Y2) are collected from the top playground which is accessible from the main school gates on Furze Street. Children in KS2 (Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6) are collected from the bottom playground which is accessible from the gate on Norman Street. Children in Reception are collected at the Reception door. This is accessible from the main school gates on Furze Street.
If a different adult (other than those named on your data form) is coming to collect your child, please make sure that you have contacted the school office in advance.
At Norman Street, we use online apps to help you stay in contact with us and to make sure you never miss what is going on with your child.
Arbor is our platform for all correspondence, purchasing uniform, booking and paying for wraparound care and paying for any upcoming trips. Parents are also able to communicate with the school office using the in app messaging services. We recommend that parents download the app to ensure that no in app messages from school are missed.
School newsletter – our school newsletter is emailed out weekly and is accessible by clicking the link. It is also available on our Facebook page and on our school website. You can find a list of important dates and events for the half term ahead on the newsletter.
At Norman Street Primary School, we believe that a smart, well-maintained school uniform plays a vital role in promoting a sense of belonging and pride within our community. We are committed to providing an inclusive, welcoming environment for all our pupils, and our uniform policy reflects this core value.
Children should come to school wearing their PE kits on their PE days.
At Norman Street Primary School, we believe that our uniform policy should respect the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of our pupils. We are committed to promoting racial equality and equal opportunities, ensuring that all children have access to wearing our school uniform regardless of their culture, race, religion, gender, disability, or ability.
We welcome variations to our uniform, if they are directly related to established religious or cultural traditions. These will be addressed on an individual basis, with the final decision resting with the Headteacher and Governing Body.
We understand that the cost of school uniform can be a concern for some families. To help keep expenses low, we have made our uniform requirements simple and readily available from supermarkets or school. We also have the option of purchasing school logo badges individually to attach to jumpers and cardigans. We offer a supply of ‘preloved’ uniform items for purchase in school, and can provide support to families who may be struggling to obtain any necessary items. If you would like support with uniform, please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Bev Ramshaw our Parent Liaison: parentliaison@normanst.cumbria.sch.uk
As a school we are proud of our uniform and the sense of belonging it creates. By wearing our school colours with pride, our pupils demonstrate their commitment to the values that underpin Norman Street Primary School. We are the only school in Carlisle with that distinctive brown uniform and so we are very recognisable!
We expect all our pupils to adhere to our uniform policy, as it is an important part of maintaining our high standards and positive school ethos. Should there be any issues with compliance, we will work closely with families to achieve this.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our school uniform, please do not hesitate to contact the school office. We are here to support you and your child in upholding our shared values and ensuring a positive, inclusive educational experience.
At Norman Street Primary School, we believe in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all our families. Our Parent Liaison, Bev Ramshaw, is a vital part of this commitment, serving as a friendly and open point of contact for parents and the wider community.
As a school that celebrates the diversity of our community, we recognise the importance of effective communication and collaboration with parents from all backgrounds. Bev works tirelessly to ensure that every family feels heard, understood, and empowered to engage with their child’s education.
Bev isn’t just a point of contact – she is a trusted partner, working closely with a range of local organisations and services to provide holistic support for our families. Whether it’s connecting parents with resources for mental health, food banks, financial and budgeting support and housing or community activities, she is dedicated to strengthening the bonds between the school and the wider community.
We work with the following partners:
Through open and frequent communication, Bev helps to foster a spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding between school and our families. By actively listening to the needs and concerns of parents, they are able to identify opportunities for growth and development, both for individual children and the school community as a whole.
If you have any questions or would like to connect with Bev, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to support you and your family throughout your child’s educational journey at Norman Street Primary School.
