WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL

Cheselbourne Village School is situated in an attractive rural setting in Dorset, close to Dorchester. It is much smaller than other primary schools, with 32 pupils between the ages of 4-9 years on roll, from Reception to Year 4. Pupils come from a wide area of local villages and from a breadth of different backgrounds and all speak English as their first language. The school organises an adult and toddler club, Scarecrows, once a week to support local children and their parents and carers. We also run a daily afternoon club, Caterpillars, for our reception pupils and twice a week for pre-school children.

At Cheselbourne our primary aim is to create a happy and safe environment in which every child can grow intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Children are encouraged to become independent, confident, thoughtful and caring individuals. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum to enable every child the opportunity to develop his or her abilities so that they can reach their full potential. We also ensure the environment is stimulating and challenging.

We expect high standards in both work and behaviour and we want children to enjoy their learning and to approach everything with enthusiasm. Each child has uniquely different characteristics and abilities. These make his/her reactions to the opportunities offered at school distinct so we aim to consider each child as an individual as far as possible.

Whilst at Cheselbourne we believe that all children will:

• develop lively enquiring minds with an enthusiasm for learning
• acquire knowledge, attitudes and skills relevant to their future including ICT skills
• understand the world in which they live, our interdependence on others and on our environment
• use language and number effectively in a variety of ways and situations
• develop a respect and tolerance for the diversity of all people
• develop a respect and tolerance for other peoples’ views and different races and religions
• develop the ability to question and to apply themselves to set tasks
• actively participate in the life of the school and, when appropriate, of the village and local the community

Our pre-school group, Scarecrows, meets on Tuesday during term time in the Village Hall between 9.00 and 10.30am. Children from babies and toddlers to rising 4s attend our pre-school group and their parents or careers remain with them. The group is organized by Mrs Price, one of our senior Teaching Assistants and their activities bring them over to the main school for sessions and some, on fine days, are held in the adjacent field. The younger children also occasionally visit the pre-school group. This helps the transition into school as all the children have formed good relationships with Mrs Price, they know the school and many of the children.

Once a week, we have an afternoon club, Caterpillars, for our pre-school children. There is a small charge for this but the bonus is that the children are with their peers and enjoying being with us on a regular basis for the whole year before they start ‘proper’ school.

The curriculum is what ‘happens’ at Cheselbourne. It includes the formal and informal programme of activities offered to the children and it contributes to the ethos of the school. At Cheselbourne we are committed to a curriculum that has the needs of the children at its centre. At the same time, however, our curriculum includes the National Numeracy Framework, National Literacy Strategy, the National Curriculum (QCA documents), as required by the Education Reform Act, the Dorset Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education and the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage for the children in the reception class. The National Curriculum for years 1 – 4 comprises of five core subjects – Literacy, Numeracy, Science, ICT and RE - and six foundation subjects – History, Geography, Music, Art, Design Technology and PE. The Foundation Stage curriculum comprises of seven areas – Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Physical Development, Creative Development, Communications, Language, Literacy and Mathematics. PSHE and Citizenship are taught to all children.

Monday - Computer Club and Card Club

Tuesday - Gardening and Computer Club

Wednesday - Football Club, Book Club and Computer Club

Thursday - Computer Club, Chess Club

Friday - Homework Club