ABOUT US

Historically, Meanwood is a well established school having been situated on this site since 1902. The Original building now houses the Junior Department with a Year 6 extension built in 1991. In 1992 a new Infant Department was built linked to the Nursery. There is also a new Play Group and After School Club on the site. Our position in the local area allows us to make full use of the neighbouring Innes School, Old Peoples Homes, Library, Clinic, Parks, Churches, Nature Reserve, High Schools to foster links and support the learning of our children.

Meanwood is a family, who work together to develop and nurture all skills and talents. We aim to create children who think for themselves and whose actions reflect their belief in and understanding of, the principles of, love, respect, tolerance, truth and honesty. We see ourselves as a mutually supportive group with high expectations of each other, we share responsibility for all that affects those within it. We aim to live and work happily together, allowing the children to achieve their full potential, be appreciated for themselves and not be ridiculed or condemned for failure.

Our Nursery and Reception classes form a unit, which is now part of the Governments' Foundation Stage of learning with its own separate curriculum. Children of this age are beginning one of the most exciting and challenging times of their lives and we aim to make this a very positive experience. During this stage we will help their knowledge of the world around them. As your children progress throughout the unit they will work towards becoming an independent learner with a thirst for knowledge that will stay with them throughout their school career.

The children in Year one quickly make the progression from the Foundation Stage to the more subject-based work of the National Curriculum.

At every opportunity they are engaged in practical activities, helping them to appreciate the links between different areas of the curriculum and maintain the excitement of acquiring new skills.

The Year Two children continue to build upon the achievements of Year One, developing the Literacy, Numeracy and Science skills to prepare for the SATs in the Summer Term.

Parental involvement is greatly encouraged in both year groups. The children have home/school reading record books which parents write in when they have listened to their children read. Key words are also sent home in sets, and replaced once they have been learnt, until children have built up a bank of essential words needed for confident reading.

Year One children also take home weekly spellings each Monday and have a spelling 'test' on Fridays.

Year Two children have 'Homework' folders which go home on Fridays and are returned to school on the following Thursday. All children are allowed to borrow a library book each week to share with their families.

Each year group has it's own computer suite situated in a middle area between the classes. These are in daily use, encouraging the use of IT across all subjects. The children develop great confidence and produce some excellent work.

Key stage One is fortunate in having excellent resources. Our teaching and support staff are very experienced and provide an exciting and varied curriculum for the children.

Parents wishing to help in school are always made welcome and we are constantly looking for people with talents who are willing to share them with our children.

Year 3

Children still do Mathematics and Literacy every day but they are expected to be able to work independently and concentrate for longer periods of time. In this year children are taught to write in joined handwriting, which should be neat and fluent by the time children start Year 4. They will also be expected to do a small amount of homework each night, including reading their reading books, practising times tables and learning spellings, as well as some other more occasional pieces. This will prepare them for the more challenging expectations later in the Junior years. To help them in this, the children are given homework diaries to fill in. Children in the Junior building are also expected to be able to come into the school building by themselves and meet parents outside at hometime.

Year 4

Expectations for children in Year 4 build upon those of Year 3. By the time children reach Year 4 they are expected to be able to work more quickly, take greater responsibility for their own learning and be able to work independently on their individual targets. However, as part of their daily homework, children must continue to practise their reading, spellings and times tables and will still need help at home with these. Children will receive more homework, which they are expected to complete to the best of their ability.

Extra-curricular activities play a vital role in children's education at Meanwood. They help our pupils to develop their self-confidence and esteem, as well as helping to improve their motivation towards school, learning and academic achievement.

Meanwood offers a range of activities, from tap dancing to netball – many of which take place at lunchtimes.

Many of the clubs are run by our dedicated staff, as well as qualified coaches from outside school. This provides our children with opportunities to learn with adults other than teachers, and helps to create links with the community.

All clubs are run for the benefit of our children. The emphasis during these clubs is based on learning new skills and having LOTS of FUN!!