The Mr. Kleks Polish Saturday School in Accrington is a school run by volunteers. Sending children to it is voluntary, and the activities conducted by the school are supplementary activities that supplement the child's knowledge of native subjects. Each child attending the school must be registered, and parents must accept the rules and regulations in effect and the principles that the institution follows in its teaching and educational work. Parents are also obliged to pay school fees, the amount and due date of which are adopted by the Pedagogical Council in consultation with the Parents' Council.
The Polish Saturday School in Accrington began operations in September 2007. There are currently more than 100 Polish Saturday schools in the UK where children can learn Polish. Polish schools in the UK are independent institutions, not subject to any government organization, nor are they funded by anyone. They are under the patronage of the Polish Educational Society, based in London. For more information on the Polish Educational Society visit www.polskamacierz.org.
What do children learn in our school?
The Polish Saturday School in Accrington is a native subjects school, which means that children learn Polish language, history and geography of Poland. Those who are willing can also attend religion classes taught by a nun and a priest. Read more in the WHAT WE TEACH section.
What does the curriculum look like?
The program is based on textbooks that children in schools in Poland learn from. It was developed by our teachers specifically for the needs of the school and our students.
Does the school overprepare students for the Polish language exams?
Yes. Since its inception, the Polish School in Accrington has been preparing students for Polish as a Foreign Language examinations at GCSE level (the equivalent of a junior high school exam) and at A-level (the equivalent of a high school diploma). Students take the exams at their English schools.
Who are the teachers?
Teachers are qualified to work with children and have experience. As a result, parents can feel safe leaving their children at our school. They are Poles who came to the UK after 2004. They know the Polish language very well and have the correct accent. Poland is also their home country, where they grew up, so they know the culture, traditions and customs of our country. Thanks to this, they can pass on real knowledge of Poland to your children, because they got to know the country by living there for a long time. The school also has assistants - mainly in the kindergarten groups, which are the most numerous. Their job is to assist teachers in conducting classes with toddlers. If you want to learn more about our teachers, see here and assistants, see here.
Where are the classes held?
Our classes are held in the school where children study every day. As a result, we have excellent learning conditions: proper tables, chairs, blackboards, projectors, internet, a large gymnasium, a sports field.
How old does a child have to be to attend classes?
In our school there are kindergarten groups for children from 2 to 5 years old, all classes of elementary school. Thus, we invite all children and young people to get to know the beauty of the Polish language, literature, Polish culture and traditions together with their peers.
How to buy textbooks?
For students in grades 1-8 and kindergarten groups, textbooks and exercises are purchased by parents. Before the start of the school year, it is possible to purchase textbooks through the school.
How do we test students' knowledge?
At the end of each semester, we check the knowledge acquired by the students. This allows teachers to know what the children's current needs are, and parents can see what progress their kids have made in their studies.
At our school, we don't put grades on individual achievements, homework assignments or answers. We want children to enjoy learning Polish, not compete for grades. We test knowledge through tests, which take place once a semester. Knowledge tests are graded on points, which are converted into percentages, and these give grades according to the following criteria
95% and above - excellent (6)
85% - 94% - very good (5)
71% - 84% - good (4)
58% - 70% - sufficient (3)
45% - 57% - acceptable (2)
Less than 45% - insufficient (1)
At the end of the school year, students are presented with certificates with a grade, which is an average drawn from the grades earned on three semester tests. The best ones receive diplomas and book prizes.
Each semester we also award behavioral grades. Students can earn a grade of exemplary, very good, good, correct, inadequate and reprehensible.
Does the school have a library?
Yes, students have permanent access to the school library. Its resources can also be used by adults.
What else is going on at the school?
In addition to learning, children are exposed to Polish culture and traditions. The school organizes academies, for example, on the occasion of Independence Day or May 3rd. We celebrate St. Andrew's Day, St. Nicholas Day, Fat Thursday, Mother's Day. We organize school meetings to celebrate holidays, dance parties, competitions, trips, invite interesting people to school. In addition, we participate in various projects and develop cooperation with schools and specialists:
1. COOPERATION WITH SCHOOLS IN POLAND - In September 2014, our school joined a project called "Poland Homeland of John Paul II". Its authors are the Catholic University of Lublin (Institute of History) and the St. Dominic Guzman Middle and High School in Lublin, founded in 2006 by academics of the Catholic University of Lublin. The project focuses on educating Polish youth in their native subjects, which are Polish language, history, knowledge of modern Poland, religion, native nature and the heritage of Polish culture. The aim of the project is to consolidate knowledge of the Polish language and to consolidate knowledge of Polish history and culture. The assumed effect of the program is the consolidation of a sense of Polish identity and national pride. The participants of the project are the oldest students of the school. Thanks to cooperation with the Middle and High School of the Mediterranean, middle school students from the Polish School in Accrington not only receive Polish certificates. They also have student ID cards, realize inter-school exchange meetings, and each school year take part in classes prepared by Prof. Jacek Golębiowski and Dr. Pawel Sieradzki.
2. LOGOPEDIC CONSULTATIONS - every first Saturday of the month from 13:00 to 14:00 free speech therapy consultations are provided by speech therapist Magdalena Walecka, MA (www.elogopeda.com).
3. FOOTBALL TRAINING -.
4. READING SCHOOL - We know how important it is to read to children - both young and old. That's why we support parents in reading books to their children every day. The Polish Saturday School in Accrington was one of the first outside Poland to join the "Reading Schools" program implemented by the ABCXXI Foundation - All of Poland Reads to Children (www.calapolskaczytadzieciom.pl). Every Saturday, classes in each group begin with a 10-minute reading of a book passage by a teacher or parent. All parents are welcome to join in this action. Those wishing to do so can make appointments with teachers for specific dates.
5. ADDITIONAL ATTRACTS - in addition to classes, we offer our students to participate in events organized by us, which include: theatrical performances offered by the Pinokio Theater (www.pinokiosacz.pl), summer and winter camps organized by Gramydladzieci.com (www.gramydladzieci.com), Slavica Dance workshops, promoting modern forms of movement combined with the steps of Polish folk dances (www.slavicadance.com), participation in inter-school competitions, workshops to prepare for Polish language exams, educational trips.
How does the school raise funds?
Polish schools in the UK are not funded by any institutions or organizations. The school has to raise all the funds itself. Parents pay for their children's education. However, to keep these costs down, we are trying to get donations from various companies. Perhaps there are more people who could help us in any way. The school needs not only money, but also teaching aids, books for the school library, toys for the little ones. As a school, we raise funds by selling Polish cakes or Christmas decorations made by the school's students, and we organize evenings and games.
If you have other suggestions, let us know. Maybe with a joint effort we can contribute to the account of the Polish school.