Welcome to Newington CE Primary School

Newington School is a controlled (Church of England) Primary School for children aged 4 - 11, with a current roll of approximately 180 children. The school has close links with the village church, holding services there throughout the year, and also with the village community, including support for organisations such as the local Toddlers' Group and Playgroup and an annual Christmas tea party held at the school for Senior Citizens. Members of the community are often welcomed into the school to judge competitions, speak about their interests and join in storytelling sessions.

The spacious school grounds provide an excellent environment for the children. There is a good-sized playground and a large field with games pitches, a pond and a wooded nature trail. There are also gardens cultivated by the children. This rich rural environment is of great benefit to the children and the teaching staff have developed a strong science and environmental studies tradition in the school. January 2000 saw the opening of extensive new buidings by The Princess Royal. The buildings offer a safe, secure learning environment which marries the old Victorian origins of the school to the new. The school is well equipped with up-to-date apparatus and resources and the children develop investigative skills in their immediate surroundings.

They also use the wider environment, making visits in connection with topics studied in school, and participating in inter-schools events such as Music and Drama Festivals, Book Weeks and inter-schools matches.

Children are encouraged to be self-disciplined and to be motivated towards their own learning. The good staff ratio of Headteacher, 8 teaching staff, 3 Cover Supervisors and 3 Teaching Assistants, gives the children an excellent start and they thrive in the happy community atmosphere of the school.

There are seven classes within the school:-

• Reception Class (Pandas)
  

• 2 Year 1 / 2 Classes (Giraffes and Raccoons)

• 2 Year 3 / 4 Classes (Koalas and Zebras)

• 2 Year 5 / 6 Classes (Lions and Meerkats)

Children are grouped according to age, and placed in sets for English and mathematics in order to cater for all abilities.

Through effective teaching of the Early Learning Goals, and by expecting the very best of academic standards, we aim to create a happy, secure and stimulating learning environment in which all members of the nursery and school community can grow in self-esteem and develop their potential as human beings.

Newington Nursery is provided by Kent County Council for the benefit of the local community. 5 sessions in the morning OR 5 sessions in the afternoon are offered to children from the age of 3 and are FREE OF CHARGE!
Newington Nursery is managed by a qualified Early Years Teacher and is supported by an experienced nursery nurse and teaching assistant.
Newington Nursery is a brand new unit offering a wide range of 'hands on' activities and is equipped with the highest quality early years resources, to help young minds and bodies develop to their maximum potential.

Newington School's most recent inspection took place between 19 -22 May 2003. It was carried out by Cambridge Education Associates and the Registered Inspector was Mr C. Gray.

The main findings taken from the report were:-

• Newington Primary School is a quickly improving school giving its pupils a good standard of education.

• Teaching is good across the school.

• The new Headteacher leads the school very well and has enabled it to move forward very quickly.

• Pupils in the Foundation Stage receive a very good start to their education.

• Pupil's attainment in Religious Education and Art is above expectations by Years 2 and 6.

• The School's recent advance is based on very effective systems for assessing where pupils need to improve and for helping teachers to make the most of their skills. Provision for pupils with special educational needs is especially good.

• The school provides very well for pupils' personal development; they respond with good behaviour and good attitudes to school.

As a Church England Controlled School, Newington also had a Section 23 Denominational Inspection in May 2003 which stated:-

• The school has a caring ethos that takes place in a secure environment with good community and parish links. Pupils are friendly polite and good at listening and communicating.

• Overall the quality of the worship observed was of an excellent standard providing a most enjoyable and spiritual experience for pupils and staff alike.

An action plan has been drawn up to address key issues identified by the Inspection.

Newington Church of England Primary School received an Achievement Award for substantial improvement in results of pupils for the periods 1996/7 and 1999/2000.

To view the full OFSTED report go to

www.ofsted.gov.uk