Introduction
Wollescote is a Dudley LEA Community Primary School, catering for children from 3 – 11 years. It houses a purpose-built Nursery, swimming pool, computer suites, community room, Playtalk room (for pre-school work), library, Infant building, Junior building, and three mobile classrooms. The site is attractively landscaped with a football pitch/field, garden areas including a butterfly garden, environmental area with natural pond, and four playgrounds. The swimming pool is used by the local community during evenings and weekends. A new Reception block has recently been added to the school site.
Organisation of the School
There are either two or three classes in each year group. Children are grouped chronologically. Each class has its own teacher who teaches most subjects. A lead teacher co-ordinates the work and the staff in each year group. A Phase Manager oversees the work of two year groups (N/R, 1/2, 3/4, and 5/6). The Phase Managers, Head and Deputy comprise the Senior Leadership Team.
Staff work closely together as a team to plan and deliver teaching. Extra staff work in each year group to support learning. These include teachers who specialise in Language development, Special Needs, Home/School Liaison and bilingual support. A team of Learning Support Assistants provides pupils and teachers with additional support. Approximately 70% of children come from ethnic minority families, the majority are Pakistani with asylum seekers from a range of backgrounds.
The 45-place, purpose built Nursery unit has existed since 1976 and has excellent modern facilities, including an outside play area, recently extended. A specialist teacher leads the team of four nursery nurses. There are bilingual staff to support ethnic minority children. In addition, extra staff are provided so that up to 6 children with more significant special needs may attend the Nursery morning sessions.
In our quest to raise standards of achievement, a range of study support opportunities are offered. These focus on the development of basic skills, as well as activities to respond to pupil interests. Activities are offered in and out of school term times.
We are proud to be the only primary school in Dudley with its own swimming pool, and were the first in the country to receive a grant from the National Lottery Sports Fund. Each child from Year R – Year 6 is fortunate to be able to swim each week throughout their time at Wollescote. This is additional time to the allocation for other PE activities in the curriculum.
The school is committed to parental and community involvement, offering a range of adult education and opportunities for parents to support their child’s progress. Provision includes our Playtalk Project supporting parents and children through the pre-school years. The school is in the process of extending its provision to children and families, so that all year round services are available. During 2006, we are scheduled to become a children's centre in partnership with the local Surestart project with whom we work closely. At this time, childcare will become available
|