Our School

Pells Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School caters for children from the ages of 4 to 11 years. It is located in Landport Road, Lewes. The building is light, spacious, and surrounded by green fields and a wildlife area with a pond. There are approximately 120 children at the school and we are proud of the family atmosphere that we have created.

Pells Primary School was founded in 1896 as a Church of England School by St John sub Castro Church, Lewes. It was then located in Talbot Terrace, Lewes. In 1974 the Infant Department moved to Landport Road. In 2000 the Landport Road building was extended and refurbished in order to accommodate both departments.

As a Voluntary Controlled School, Pells is under the control of the Local Education Authority but retains strong links with St. John sub Castro Church and, through the church, with the Diocese of Chichester. We are proud to recognise our historic foundation. Our education is based on Christian principles, but also includes teaching on other religions. Children of all faiths, and none, are welcome at the school.

Within the school we seek to provide an environment in which the children feel happy and secure, one which is stimulating and which helps the children feel motivated to learn. We believe that if children are to reach their full potential they must have a high level of self-esteem, good personal discipline and a respectful and caring attitude towards others. We aim to promote this by having high expectations of our pupils and by encouraging them to develop their own independence.

Pells is proud of the good progress the children make throughout their time at the school.

Pells School, recognising its historical foundation, aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality.    

We encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of all faiths, but promote a Christian philosophy, which is offered to all pupils.  

We want children to be happy and successful, working together in a positive atmosphere, where their efforts are appreciated and acknowledged.      

We promote and expect good behaviour, respect and courtesy, within a secure and friendly environment.     

The staff and Governors are committed to sustaining the school’s constant development and they believe that only with a real partnership between home and school can the most be made of children’s time at Pells.  

The arrangements for the admission of children to Pells School are made by East Sussex County Council. A detailed description of the arrangements is contained in the booklet‘Which Primary School for Your Child?’. A copy can be obtained from the schoolAdmissions Section,

Education Department,
PO Box 4,
County Hall,
St Anne’s Crescent,
Lewes,
BN7 1SG
Tel: 01273 48100

A copy is also available for inspection in the school.
Parents/carers may find it helpful to know that if there are insufficient places to meet demand these will be allocated according to the following criteria (which are set by the County Council):

1. Children with strong medical or exceptional evidence which leads the Director of Education to conclude that attendance at any other school would be inappropriate.
2. Children who will have a brother or sister at the school at the time of admission.
3. Children wishing to transfer between a ‘linked’ infant and junior school.
4. Children living within a predefined community area, prioritised if necessary on the basis of the shortest route to school using ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ road.
5. Children living outside the predetermined community area, prioritised if necessary on the basis of the shortest route to school using ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ roads.

At The Pells Primary School we teach the National Curriculum comprising the core subjects of - Literacy, Mathematics, Science and ICT along with the foundation subjects - History, Geography, Design and Technology, Art, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education and Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education. For these subjects there are programmes of study to ensure continuity and progression.

Detailed schemes of work are available to parents on request. Or these can be found on the DFES 'Standards Site'.

Children also study conversational French and can take part in a variety of extra-curricular opportunities. Our teaching methods support a wide variety of learning styles and we encourage our children to become independent, confident and reflective learners.

Art and Design is one of the school’s areas of excellence with children undertaking two dimensional work in drawing and painting and exploring the world of three dimensions with sewing, collage, sculpture, paper sculpture and modeling. Examples of such work include the mosaic and batik work in the school corridors, and the batik hanging in St. John sub Castro Church, for which the school was proud to receive the Bishop’s Commendation Award. We have been involved in various projects such as the year 6 Patina arts festival

.

Music is an important part of the children’s education and they have regular singing lessons, learn composition skills, and are encouraged to listen with appreciation and critical awareness. The County Music Service offers the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument. Recorder tuition is available free within the school.