NORTHBOURNE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL
Northbourne C E Primary School is a five class school for pupils aged 4+ to 11 years. The original school was built of flint in 1852, and the two Key Stage 1(Infant) classes are housed in the original classrooms. The school has grown considerably since that time, and has had a number of structural additions built on to provide a stimulating educational environment for the 130 pupils now on roll.
Behind the original building the school has a large hall which is used for indoor PE and as a dining hall. We have our own kitchens on site, and pupils may either eat a prepared lunch or bring sandwiches from home. All pupils eat together in the hall, in two sittings, and are supervised by four midday supervisors. A senior member of staff is always on duty during the lunch hour.
The Key Stage 2 (Junior) pupils are divided, by age, into three classes. The youngest KS2 pupils are taught in a mobile classroom to the rear of the school, the middle KS2 pupils have a classroom in the old "school house" and the oldest pupils work in a detached listed building which is situated next to the playground. The school benefits from extensive grounds, including two ponds, a wood and a wildlife area as well as large playing fields.
All classrooms are equipped with a television/video player and at least two multi-media computers and printers, and the school accesses the Internet via a satellite link. Additionally we have recently installed a further 15 multi-media machines in a newly furnished computer suite situated on the first floor of the old "school house". All of our computers are networked, and Mr. Plested our technician, maintains the computers and assists the class teachers in delivering ICT throughout the curriculum.
All of our pupils follow the National Curriculum, and every class teacher is supported by a learning support or classroom assistant for the majority of the week.
Pupils with special educational needs receive appropriate support within the classroom, and the curriculum is differentiated to ensure that all pupils progress appropriately.
We have a collective act of worship each day, and the five classes take turns in leading assemblies. Parents are invited to attend the assemblies led by their child’s class, and are also invited to attend services held at Christmas, Easter and Harvest time, held either in the school or at the parish church.
We are very lucky to have an active and supportive group of parents and friends who regularly come into school to hear children read or to assist in practical subjects. The Friends of Northbourne are our fundraising body, and these hardworking people spend a lot of time supporting the school in a variety of ways, organising such activities as school fairs and social events.
The school has a School Council in which pupils are encouraged to participate fully in the life of the school. Council meetings give pupils the opportunity to take responsibility for some aspects of school life voice opinions on current topics. All pupils can use the council system to raise concerns or share ideas about the development of their school. Alongside this we operate a merit system which encourages pupils to celebrate success in all areas, and we hold a weekly "Celebration of Success" assembly to present certificates and award house points.
Our oldest pupils have the opportunity to go on a residential to Swattenden outward bound centre.
Pupils were encouraged to work co-operatively together to meet a variety of physical and academic challenges, and benefited from the extended educational programme provided by the very experienced instructors.
At Northbourne C E Primary School we try to provide a caring environment, an environment where the academic, physical, pastoral and aesthetic needs of the pupils are accorded equal importance. We believe that parents are equal partners in the whole education process and try to work in full and close co-operation with you at all times. We do encourage you to come into school to talk with any or all of us, to resolve any problems or worries you may have, and especially encourage you to share with us your child’s successes outside of school.
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