Welcome!

Welcome to the Gateway Christian School. We are a small school set in the idyllic surroundings of Dale Abbey. The school was founded in 1989 by the Parochial Church Council of Stanton-by-Dale with Dale Abbey. The school is closely linked to the church. There is a strong and overt Christian ethos but all are welcome and no-one has been refused a place. The school is funded by payments from parents according to their ability to pay. As the school has small classes, we aim at a maximum class size of 15, then much individual attention can be given and children are encouraged to develop their full potential and grow into the people God intended them to be.

As well as occupying the original school building in Dale Abbey, the school has a playing field a few yards down the road, the use of the Gateway Christian Centre, where lunch is enjoyed and free access to the Church’s own 5 acre wood, which is a wonderful place for nature study etc.

We also have a Nursery School for 3 to 5 year olds. Children here receive State funding. The Nursery is housed in what would seem to be purpose built premises but which are actually the previous offices of Stanton Ironworks in Stanton-by-Dale. The same care and Christian ethos applies as much in the Nursery as in the Primary Department. If you have children of Nursery or Primary age we would love to see you.

The Primary Department currently has two classes, one for Infants and one for Juniors (Y3 to Y6). Each class will ideally cater for about 15 children.

The School is fully registered by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) and is OFSTED inspected. Children who attend our Nursery have priority with regard to Primary places. "Rising five's” in the Reception year are eligible for Government funding.

ENROLMENT PROCEDURE

The School is open to all children of the appropriate age. While priority is given to children who live in the villages of Dale Abbey and Stanton-by-Dale or whose parents are on the Electoral Roll of the Parish of Stanton-by-Dale with Dale Abbey, any parent who wants a Christian education for their child may apply.

When parents first contact the school an Introductory Booklet and an application form is sent out and a provisional date for a visit to the Nursery or the Primary Department is set.

Children are normally accepted into the Nursery Department at the beginning of the term or half term closest to their third birthday. The Primary Department takes children at the beginning of the term in which they turn five. Ideally, children who turn five in the summer term start in Reception after Christmas.

STAFF

Our staff are well qualified, committed Christians who are dedicated to work towards the aims of the school and to fulfil our vision. All members of staff are carefully vetted prior to their appointment according to DfEE regulations.

The Nursery programme is designed in conjunction with our Primary teachers to specifically prepare children for the transition to our Primary Department. We recognise that not all children in the Nursery will in fact transfer to our Primary Department but the work covered will stand pupils in good stead for whichever primary school they move on to.

The Nursery class is based at Henley House, Stanton-by-Dale. It opens for five mornings per week from 9.00am to 12 noon . Sessions are structured to provide a balanced combination of formal teaching and directed and free play. Some children attend all available mornings, others less depending on age and parental preference.

“See and Know” is a Mother and Toddler group affiliated to the Gateway Christian School , which meets at the Old School Christian Centre in Stanton-by-Dale on Wednesday mornings during term time from 10am until midday. When the weather is good during the summer months, it meets in the Rectory garden at Stanton-by-Dale. We run a balanced programme including free and structured play, crafts and singing.

The children at the Gateway Christian School are very active!

Physical skills are taught in P.E. (incl. Gymnastics, Athletics and Games), a weekly swimming session and Performing Arts lessons (incl. Dance and Stage Performance). All children have one session of P.E., one session of Performing Arts and one swimming lesson per week. The Old School at Stanton-by-Dale is used for Performing Arts and for P.E. during the winter. We go to West Park Leisure Centre in Long Eaton for swimming. Children are taught by a combination of our own staff and Leisure centre staff. Lifeguards are on duty throughout.