Our Mission Statement

Our school is founded on Christian values, principles and beliefs. All our school community - children, parents, staff and governors - are valued for the unique individual qualities which each member contributes. We celebrate the efforts and achievements of all.

In partnership with parents we aim to support and develop the individual skills and talents of all our children. Our objective is to encourage them to become fulfilled and well-rounded human beings, with the self-confidence to take up the challenges of the wider world.

Becoming a member of Piddle Valley First School : Synopsis of Admissions

It is the school's wish to accept all children within the catchment area of the school (i.e. the parishes of Piddlehinton, Piddletrenthide, Alton Pancras, Plush and White Lackington). However, when there are more applicants than places, then our school's approved policy is summed up in the following order of priority:

1. Children with a statement of special educational needs which specifies attendance at the school
2. Children who are looked after by the local authority
3. Children who have a brother or sister attending the school at the time of admission

Within these categories, if too few places are available to satisfy all preferences, then the following priority order will apply.

1. Children whose parents wish them to attend a Voluntary Aided school because of the family's links with the local church (which will require support from the vicar or other church authority)
2. Children who have exceptional medical reasons for attending the preferred school. Applications would have to be supported by medical evidence.

These priority orders apply also to the filling of spare places from outside the catchment area of the school.

The maximum number of children which the school can admit in any one year group is 23.

Starting School

Children start their school career in Reception Class in the September of the year in which they reach the age of 5. During the preceding Summer Term, they have the opportunity to attend three morning sessions accompanied at first by their parents, and then hopefully, by themselves. From September until Christmas, they attend in the mornings only. From January, children attend full time.

Invitation to Parents and prospective pupils to Visit School

You are warmly encouraged to visit the school. This can be arranged with the School Office.

Statutory Information

• The Admission arrangements outlined above apply equally to pupils with disabilities.
• We have in place an Accessibility Plan, revised in May 2006, which details the steps which Piddle Valley First School has taken to prevent disabled pupils being treated less favourably than other pupils; and outlines medium and long term accessibility development targets.
• We are a modern school, built with the full range of requirements needed to meet life in the 21st century in mind. Facilities for disabled pupils include wide corridors and doors, an accessibility ramp and disabled toilet.
• The Governing Body regularly receive a report from the Headteacher on the implementation of the School’s policy on Special Educational Needs.

The Curriculum at Piddle Valley First School

Legally we must provide a curriculum which teaches the children English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, RE, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Art, Design Technology, Music and Physical Education. The clearest explanation of the legal coverage for these curriculum subjects can be found at: www.nc.uk.net. and we would refer parents to this website. Alternatively, we hold paper copies of the National Curriculum documents in school and parents are most welcome to view these at any time.

The exact time allocation which each school is required to give to each curriculum subject is, within certain constraints, the decision of the individual school.

In common with all good Primary schools we place a healthy emphasis upon the basic skills of literacy and numeracy. However, we feel most strongly that within the context of a First School active, exciting and energetic learning brings about engaged and happy learners. For this reason we have altered the structure of the school day to give a longer morning (9a.m until 12.30 pm) and a shorter afternoon (1.30pm until 3.15pm for Key Stage 2 children {i.e. age 8 & 9}; and 1.45pm until 3.15pm for the younger children). During the morning, the children have literacy and numeracy sessions interspersed with a 45 minute ‘skills’ session focussing on such areas as phonics, intensive reading support, ICT skills.

Clubs

In order to extend to the fullest possible extent the range of learning opportunities we provide to our children we have a very full programme of out of school Clubs. These are:

School Transport

At the moment, the LEA provides free transport to enable a pupil to attend the normal appropriate school where the walking distance is as follows:

Four year olds - If your child is admitted to school as a four year old, he or she is considered for free transport under the same conditions as for a child of compulsory school age, on the understanding that the transport will be provided only at the start and end of the normal school day. This means that you are responsible for any mid-day travel where your child initially attends school for part of the day.

Concessionary Seats - It is the policy of the Local Education Authority to allow children living within the required walking distances to occupy spare seats on school transport on payment of a charge and on the understanding that the concession can be withdrawn if the seat is required by an entitled child. (For more detailed information, please ask the Headteacher).