WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL!!!

Classrooms are bright and comfortable and the whole school is newly furnished and resourced. Our school grounds are a real feature of the school, with circular playground areas with a range of markings, an adventure trail, a multi-use games area, lots of grassed space and a vegetable plot! These are in addition to the amphitheatre that has been created adjacent to the classrooms. This whole project is the culmination of many years’ hard work by Governors and staff and is the realisation of an educational dream.

• create a happy, interesting and stimulating environment, which has the Christian Faith as its foundation;
• provide children with the literacy , Maths and life skills to enable them to take full advantage of their education, both in this school and in their future lives;
• develop positive social relationships between all children and adults in the school community so that children can grow to become successful contributors to society at large;
• encourage and develop a sense of responsibility, self discipline, self confidence and creative independent thinking;
• foster an enjoyment of learning through an enriched, creative curriculum and encourage a love of learning for the whole school community;
• develop lively enquiring minds, with the ability to question and argue rationally and to apply their learning to life experiences;
• develop spiritual, personal, moral values, a respect and understanding of other races, religions and ways of life, together with an appreciation of human achievement and endeavour;
• teach children to understand and care for the environment in which we live and to appreciate their responsibilities within a global context;
• recognise, nurture and celebrate the talents, abilities and passions of all children and adults in school;
• develop children’s understanding of, and sense of responsibility for , making healthy choices relating to their own lifestyle;
• ensure all children have equal access and opportunity to all aspects of the curriculum and school life;
• develop close active partnerships with parents/carers, other professionals with an interest in the child, the Church and our local community.

At St. Sidwell’s we are lucky to have a 26 place Nursery, catering for three and four year olds. The Nursery is part of an exciting Foundation Stage Unit, which is purpose built for Nursery and Reception aged children. There is a spacious, secure outdoor learning environment where children can use large equipment and wheeled toys as well as benefit from structured play. Indoors, the area is attractively laid out to stimulate young minds. The unit has the advantage that Nursery and Reception children can work and play alongside one another and access learning opportunities that are appropriate to their needs and interests, led by any of the Foundation Stage staff.

Our school offers children a broad, rich and exciting curriculum that ensures continuity and progression, giving children opportunities to be creative and take the initiative. Teachers are guided by the requirements of the Foundation Stage Curriculum for 3-5 year olds and by the National Curriculum and Primary National Strategies for children aged 5-11. We continue to review and refine the curriculum to ensure it remains appropriate to meet the needs of all children, providing connections that will support learning. We have high expectations of children's commitment and effort and value everyone's achievements across all areas of the curriculum.

We aim for all children to establish a firm grasp of the basics of reading, writing and mathematics to enable them to be successful in all areas of learning. Time is devoted to improving children’s speaking and listening skills, as these underpin effective literacy. Children are encouraged to read for pleasure and for information and to acquire good comprehension skills. Children’s writing skills are improving through increased opportunities to write for a purpose and within the context of other learning.

A range of extra curricular activities is offered through a variety of clubs. These are run by staff, parents and outside organisations and meet after school and in the lunch break. A timetable and information about joining these is given out each term. Over the past year, clubs have included the following: Recorders, Art, Choir, Swimming, First Aid, Christianity, Gardening, Tag Rugby, Chess, Parachute games, Football, Drama, Computing, Sewing.