Welcome to the Penshurst C of E Primary School website. Throughout the site you will find details of our school and what we offer for your child's education. Penshurst School combines the friendliness and values of a village school with modern technology and quality teaching. If you wish to find out more, please do not hesitate to contact us. You are most welcome to arrange a visit, either at our open day or by arrangement. We hope you enjoy exploring our website.
ABOUT US
Penshurst Church of England Primary School, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, was established in 1846 and is an integral part of the local community. About two thirds of the School come from Penshurst, with the remaining third from the surrounding villages and towns. Penshurst has around 100 pupils and is determined to respond to the challenges of educational and technological progress.
In November 2005, (the date of the last Ofsted Report), Ofsted judged Penshurst Primary School "an outstanding school", and Penshurst is a "Pilot D&TMark centre of excellence 2006-2007". In 2006, Penshurst was rated as being in the top 1% of mainstream schools in Value Added between Key Stages 1 and 2.
The School's aim is to provide a lively but structured approach to learning. Each child is encouraged to be responsible for his or her own learning, and effort is recognised through praise and encouragement. Through their studies, children cover all the elements of the national curriculum, discuss wider social and moral issues and are taught to respect their environment and understand its conflicting needs. The School looks to develop each child's individual talents and to enrich their lives through a wide range of cultural and sporting activities. The School believes that all children, given the proper environment in which to grow, will flourish.
By combining strong local support with committed and effective teaching, Penshurst School provides a secure and invigorating environment, in which your child can flourish. The rest of this website helps to explain how we do this.
FACILITIES AND ETHOS
School Ethos
Penshurst School's aim is to provide a safe and happy environment in which every child can achieve academic and personal success.
Each child is valued and encouraged. We recognise that all children have potential and do our best to provide a caring and well ordered environment in which they can learn and develop.
We value the support and active participation of parents, believing that education is a partnership between home and school.
In the most recent Ofsted report (November 2005), Ofsted said, “Pupils’ personal development and well-being are outstanding, and enthusiastic attitudes to learning underpin good achievement.” They went on to say, “Behaviour throughout the school is excellent and pupils know exactly what is expected of them. As a result of the outstanding emphasis given to their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, pupils develop a sensitive approach to life and everyday issues, and appreciate the achievement of others. Pupils are very proud of their school.” We are proud of these achievements and build on them at every opportunity.
Facilities
Penshurst school is set in beautiful countryside, close to the village centre. The school field overlooks farmland and is surrounded by well established trees. The site has been developed to provide an educationally rich environment, with a pond, wild flower area, shrubs and there are plans for further development. Seating and shade have been provided on the playground with the addition of a mature double flowering cherry. A committee of governors, parents and staff work together to expand and enhance our site.
As well as all the normal facilities you would expect at a primary school, Penshurst School also has a state-of-the-art computer suite. The room houses 15 computers with educational software and internet links, allowing a whole class to be taught simultaneously. Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard, allowing teachers to use all the facilities available to them to make lessons exciting and informative. The School also has several rooms suitable for small group teaching, ideal for booster classes in maths and English for example. We have a music room for individual and group music lessons and a specialist reception outdoor play area.
CLASSES
How our classes are organised
We aim to take up to 15 pupils per year group. Children attend the school from four, providing their fifth birthday falls in that academic year.
Classes are organised as follows:
Reception Infant - Years 1 & 2 Lower Junior - Years 3 & 4 Upper Junior - Years 5 & 6
We combine full and part-time teachers to cover all aspects of the curriculum, allowing for specialist skills to be brought in as required. In addition we have six classroom assistants, dinner supervisors, a secretary and a cleaner/caretaker.
Our aim is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which:
Develops the core subjects of the National Curriculum: English, Maths and Science.
Effectively teaches Information Technology and Religious Education.
Provides sound coverage of the foundation subjects: History, Geography, Technology, Art, Music, P.E. and incorporates personal, social and health education. Where possible, we link different elements of the curriculum.
Promotes enjoyment of learning.
Encourages participation in creative and physical pursuits.
Develops an awareness of Christian, cross-cultural and community issues.
Teaching is conducted in classes, small groups and sometimes individually, with each child's ability taken into account. Individual progress is monitored by profiling, work planning, assessment and evaluation, all in line with National Curriculum procedures.
In the November 2005 Ofsted report, Ofsted said about Penshurst School: “Teachers know pupils very well, have high expectations of them, and plan work that successfully meets the needs of all pupils. Teachers explain clearly to pupils what they are going to learn and lessons proceed at a lively pace.” They continued, “Pupils’ enjoyment and their appreciation of the wider world are fostered through an impressive range of visits and experiences. Particularly good examples include visiting a pizza restaurant to learn how food is produced on a commercial basis, and foraging locally for fungi as part of their work in science. Parents and pupils are overwhelmingly appreciative of the quality of opportunities provided.”