WELCOME!!!

This school is an integral part of the Community. As such it looks not only for the support of the Community but also is itself a supportive influence. This school has continued fostering links with bodies outside normal school activities such as Playgroup, Youth Club, Guides and Brownies, etc. We are fortunate to have a very thriving and active Parent, Teacher and Friends Association which is keen to support the staff and the school in any positive way. All parents are automatically members of the Association and are encouraged to attend meetings which are held in the school and advertised through school circulars. The school endeavours to be an ‘Open School’. By this we mean that parents are and will continue to be welcome in the school and they should feel that they can approach us over matters regarding their child’s education. Where a parent has a worry they should not hesitate either to make an appointment or, if unable to do that, then to call on the school where matters can be sorted out. As a general principle, parental consent is sought for out-of-school visits. Where the visit is a local one – for example – to the local library or for the purpose of environmental work in vicinity of the school – consent will not normally be sought.

Providing resources are available (human and otherwise), children are admitted at the beginning of the term in which they reach their fifth birthday. Towards the end of the term before the date of entry, the Reception Class Teacher visits the family of the prospective pupil prior to starting school and arranges a half-day visit to the reception class.

Aged 4½ - 7 Children commencing formal education enter Class 1 (Reception) and at the appropriate stage move from Reception to Class 2 spending approximately two terms in each class. At the age of 6 years children transfer to Class 3 where they spend one complete academic year.

Aged 8 – 11 Children normally spend one academic year in each of the subsequent junior classes moving on each September.

Aged 11+ In the September following their eleventh birthday, children transfer to Secondary Education and full information concerning this transfer is sent to parents round about the January before transfer date.

We estimate that we will admit about 50 children annually. As and when circumstances change it may be necessary to alter the organisation. If so then a new information sheet will be supplied.

There is a school uniform and wherever possible it will be appreciated if children wear it, but flat-heeled shoes should be worn. The use of cosmetics is not considered appropriate at this age, and jewellery to be worn should be confined to ‘sleepers’ or ‘studs’ where the ears have been pierced. To avoid loss, damage and property disputes, toys and valuables are best left at home. Clothing likely to be removed and personal property should be marked with the owner’s name.

Children would learn even if they did not go to school. Learning in school however, differs from learning outside in that it is structured. The intended learning outcome of each activity can be looked at as the curriculum, thus if children’s learning is to be directed towards desired ends it must be planned. If children branch out independently upon enterprises which contribute to the school’s objective, this is welcomed and encouraged. We consider the development and implementation of a sound curriculum, with emphasis upon the fundamental important skills, to be by far the Headteacher and teachers’ prime professional responsibility.

We support this expression of priorities, which have not changed since parents were themselves at school. What has changed perhaps, is firstly the recognition that ‘reasoning’ – the ability to think things out – is the essential fourth ‘R’, and secondly the need to devise and employ far more interesting ways and means which involve the child’s Active Participation. Curriculum plans take the form of ‘policies’. Each policy allows for gradual progress, a widening and deepening of interest and increasing standards of performance as the child matures. We would like children to be alert, curious, interested – wanting to know and able to do so; willing to try for high standards; independent but also collaborative.

The school runs a soccer team, netball team, tennis team and chess team and fixtures are arranged against other schools in the locality. For each child playing in the school football, netball and tennis teams, the school provides a playing strip. In the summer term, the schools in the Clyst Valley Area come together at Clyst Vale Community College to hold the Area Sports Day. The school holds its own Sports Day close to the end of the Summer Term.

Music tuition is provided by the school using LEA peripatetic staff. At present some children at this school are taught to play wind instruments (including clarinet, flute), brass instruments (trumpet, trombone and French horn), string instruments and keyboard. The school has its own choir and children are selected during the year if they wish to be a member of the choir. During the year the school choir performs at various engagements.