GENERAL INFORMATION

Newland St John’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has 192 children on roll. It caters for children aged 4 to 11 years. Children are taught in single age group, mixed ability classes. Children are admitted in September if their 5th birthday falls before August of the following year. These children are taught in the Foundation Stage class by a teacher, a nursery nurse and a teaching assistant. Each September, they progress to a new class.

The school does not have a catchment area due to its Voluntary Aided Church School status. Most children do come from the immediate neighbourhood but some children do come from across the city when parents and carers choose the school because of its church connections.

St John’s Newland Church is a well attended ‘lively’ church with funded community workers and outreach programmes. Several children attend St John’s church whilst other families attend different denominational churches around the city. The majority of families are not regular church goers, but are happy that their children are involved in church activities and linked events like the Quest club which is run by the church and takes place in school one lunchtime a week. Children from all faiths are welcome.

There are seven classes in the school, one for each year group. We have six full time and two part time teachers. Two of the teachers are Assistant Heads. We have a large team of Teaching Assistants, some who work 1-1 with statemented children, some who work with groups of children and some who are highly qualified general TAs and regularly teach whole classes under the guidance of the class teachers and Senior Leadership Team.

We are privileged to receive voluntary support from many people including parents, carers, grandparents, church workers, students and other community volunteers. The school is recognised for its work in nurturing student teachers and has a wealth of volunteer support from those considering teaching as a profession.

We are also fortunate to have the support of many in the local community, particularly enjoying strong financial and curricular links with Croda Universal. We have also forged links with India and Ghana through ‘Jacob’s Well’ a local Christian charity we have collected and recycled equipment for third world countries.

The school prides itself on its caring Christian family ethos. Many of the staff members are practising Christians, who worship in different churches around the city. A staff and Governor prayer meeting is held on the first Monday of each month at 4.30pm. We give thanks and pray for individuals and families in the school community.

INSPECTION FINDINGS

Newland St John’s C of E VA Primary School is…..

‘an outstanding Church School.
Everything the school does for all its pupils has
Christ’s teachings at its centre.’

SIAS 2006

‘A fully inclusive school in which every child really matters.’

Ofsted 2006