The philosophy of Abbey Gate School is to provide a firm foundation on which all aspects of education will be built. We are a school founded on Christian principles and we strive to preserve a Christian ethos in everything we do. It is our belief that education is a route to spiritual, moral, social, cultural, physical and mental development and thus the well-being of the individual. We believe in equal opportunities for all the children in our school, irrespective of social background, culture, race, gender or ability.

In order to ensure future progress and success, we aim to provide a curriculum that is broad, balanced and stimulating. This entails following the National Curriculum and enriching it wherever this is possible It is our belief that we should provide a learning environment that is motivating, exciting and caring, in order for a child to develop a sense of high self-esteem and academic achievement.

To create high standards of learning for all children, providing access to all areas of the National Curriculum.

• To create a lively and stimulating learning environment, which is exciting today and a preparation for the future.
• To create a caring, secure environment so that all at Abbey Gate might enjoy high self-esteem.
• To develop a lasting partnership with parents
• To develop responsibility towards the environment.
• To develop an assured place for the school within the community and to foster good relationships with our neighbours and others within the local community.
• To create surroundings where each individual feels confident and at ease with what they do, and about the school.
• To be able to respond positively to the opportunities and challenges of the rapidly changing world.
• To develop a commitment to the virtues of truth, justice, honesty, trust and a sense of duty.

Abbey Gate offers a broad curriculum in a well structured format. All areas of the National Curriculum are covered and children sit the standard tests at the end of Key Stages 1 and 2.

Children receive an excellent grounding in the skills of numeracy and literacy. They are encouraged to learn, question, research and investigate. We also develop their listening skills and give them the opportunity to perform in school productions.

The younger children are expected to read at home each evening and older children are given homework to reinforce work done in class or to research information. We believe that good study habits begun at this stage last a lifetime.

Children are assessed on a regular basis and parents are kept informed of their child’s progress through twice yearly reports and parent afternoons.

The school’s curriculum includes :

• English
• Science
• Mathematics
• Geography
• History
• Religious Education
• Computing
• Design and Technology
• Art and Craft
• Music and Drama
• French
• Physical Education

Children are carefully prepared for entrance examinations to the senior schools of their choice and Abbey Gate has an excellent reputation for successful applications to local independent schools.

We believe that when they leave us the children are well equipped academically and socially to take their place in their senior school, showing a sense of responsibility, good manners and a concern for those around them.

Children enter the Early Years department at the age of 2½ or 3 years. They remain in this department until the age of 5, when they progress into Year 1, which is the first year of Key Stage 1.

It provides a safe, secure and stimulating environment where children discover that learning is fun, and where the foundations of friendship, co-operation, social skills and care for others are laid.

The curriculum here follows the Foundation Stage Profile which is divided into 6 areas of learning:-

• Personal, social and emotional development

• Communication, language and literacy

• Mathematical development

• Knowledge and understanding of the world

• Physical development

• Creative development

Each learning area has its own goals which set out the skills, understanding, knowledge and attitudes which it is hoped children will reach or exceed by the end of the Foundation Stage. Children are guided individually along the stepping stones towards these goals in a caring and sympathetic way, and will grow in confidence and self esteem as they progress.

The Early Years is a happy place where children can explore, develop and use their curiosity and imagination to help them to make sense of their world.

Parents have a key role to play and are encouraged to work closely with the teachers to support and guide their children through this crucial stage in their education.

The Early Years department is to be found in a large, light and most attractive room on the south side of the building. It has areas set aside for story times, for quiet times, for play and for work, and is fortunate to have a separate area for water play and for "messy" activities such as paint or clay. A door leads out into a courtyard where children can spend their time on fine days.

The children are cared for by two qualified teachers who are specialists in Early Years teaching, and by a classroom assistant. With a maximum of 12-14 children, every child is given the support and encouragement it deserves and when the time comes, will move on into Year 1 with enthusiasm and confidence.

Throughout the year there are opportunities for children to take part in varied activities both in and out of school.

We encourage links with the local community by working to support both local and global charities. From time to time local residents are invited into school to attend performances and the children always enjoys performing in venues outside school.

Other activities include

• regular excursions to places of interest
• field trips for Geography, Science or History
• theatre visits
• participation in festivals for music, drama or dance and sporting fixtures

You can find out more about the activities we offer by following the links to :

Sport                    Arts

Holiday Date List 2007 - 2009

Autumn Term 2007 

Term begins                            Thursday September 6th

Half Term                                Monday October 22nd - Friday 26th

Term ends                               Friday December 14th

Spring Term 2008

Term begins                            Wednesday January 9th

Half Term                                Monday 11th February - Friday 15th

Term ends                              Wednesday March 19th

Summer Term 2008

Term begins                            Wednesday April 9th

May Day Bank Holiday                Monday May 5th

Half Term                                Monday May 26th - Friday 31st

Term ends                                Friday July 11th

Autumn Term 2008

Term begins                            Thursday September 4th

Half Term                                Monday October 26th - Friday 31st

Term ends                               Wednesday December 17th

Spring Term 2009

Term begins                            Thursday January 8th

Half Term                                Monday February 16th - Friday 20th

Term ends                                Tuesday March 31st

Summer Term 2009

Term begins                            Thursday April 23rd

May Day Bank Holiday                Monday May 4th

Half Term                                Monday May 25th - Friday 29th

Term ends                                Friday July 10th