Introduction
Berrow
School is in an open rural environment with extensive playing
field facilities. The main building, which is modern in construction,
was extended in 1990 to provide a well fitted library and
further classrooms. Our school hall is fully equipped for
physical education and is used daily for school assemblies.
A programme of investment means that the school is well equipped
and is prepared for meeting the needs of the National Curriculum.
Berrow
School is a Church of England Primary School, which means
that the Church of England appoints representatives to the
Governing Body and the whole ethos of the school is based
on Christian principles, traditions and beliefs. It is co-educational
for pupils aged 4 - 11 years.
Our
staff, governors, parents and, indeed, all those involved
in the school are proud of our caring tradition and our pursuit
of the highest standards in all areas of school life. The
ethos of the school is enhanced by special staff skills in
the National Curriculum areas and in programmes of work for
children with learning difficulties, which make use of modern
technology. We aim to teach all pupils in a way which will
meet their individual needs.
Prospective
parents are always welcome to visit the school, to talk to
the Headteacher and to see the school in action.
Parents'
evenings are held regularly to provide an opportunity to discuss
a child's progress. Parents are welcome to contact class teachers,
or to speak to the Headteacher direct, on more personal matters
at any time.
The Aims of the School
After due consultation with parents and staff, the Governors
agreed that the aim of the school is "to educate its
pupils to the highest standards and thereby to equip them
to achieve their full potential as individuals and members
of society."
In pursuing
this aim, we will work together with parents
The
Curriculum
Our
school curriculum follows that laid down by the National Curriculum.
There
are four "core" subjects: English, Mathematics,
Science and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
There are six "foundation" subjects: Art, History,
Geography, Music, Physical Education and Design and Technology
(DT).
Religious
Education is also a part of our school curriculum as is Personal,
Social and Health Education (PSHE).
All this
provides a framework in which children are taught the "basics"
and an environment in which the children can apply the knowledge
they have acquired and can achieve their full potential.
To
ensure full coverage of the National Curriculum English and
Maths are delivered through the Literacy and Numeracy strategies.
Other subjects are taught following Qualifications and Curriculum
Authority (QCA) guidelines and the school has a rolling programme
of topic packages.
The school
curriculum addresses cross-curricular issues such as Personal
and Social Education, Sex Education, Health, Equal Opportunities
and Multi-cultural Education. Through the curriculum, the
children encounter a variety of first hand learning experiences.
The school's immediate environment is studied and visits further
afield are encouraged.
Children's
individual needs will be met within the curriculum and programmes
of study are designed with this in mind.
Under
the provision of the National Curriculum, children will be
tested at 7 and 11 years. The results of these Standardised
Assessment Tests (SATs) will be published in the Governors'
Annual Report to Parents and are included in the prospectus.
There
is also a system of continuous assessment linked to statements
of attainment in the National Curriculum. Further details
of the curriculum programme, the attainment targets and the
assessment arrangements can be obtained by contacting the
Headteacher.
Class
Organisation
The classes in the school are as far as is possible organised
into year groupings, but variations in yearly intake size sometimes
makes this impossible. A pupil's progress through the school
depends on his/her individual development, but, in general terms,
the criteria used to formulate classes are age, ability, maturity
and what we call 'chemistry', i.e. good and bad influences.
The
school aims to keep the size of reception classes as low as
possible. Key Stage One classes conform with Government Legislation
which states that these classes must not exceed 30 pupils.
Pupils are organised into groups within the classes to allow
each child to progress and develop at his/her pace. At Key
Stage Two pupils are placed in ability groups for Literacy
and Numeracy lessons.
The pupils
spend the majority, if not all, of the school day with their
class teacher, but there is some specialist teaching in Music,
Science, French and Computing.
Collective Worship and Religious Education
There
is a daily act of worship, which reflects the traditions of
the Anglican faith through the teaching of religious themes,
the saying of prayers and the singing of hymns.
The school
meets as a whole at the beginning and end of each week and
in smaller infant and junior groupings on the other days.
This
act of collective worship takes into account and develops
the school's RE curriculum content.
Under
the provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988, all parents
have a right to withdraw their children from the school's
daily act of collective worship, or/and from collective Religious
Education.
The school
respects this legal right of parents. Any parent wishing to
withdraw their child from either or both of these elements
of the curriculum should make a written request to do so through
the Headteacher.
Out
of School Visits
Residential visits are organised each year for children in Years
5 and 6.
It is hoped that all pupils will take part, as these visits
provide intensive environmental work, which involves both preparatory
and follow-up studies.
Occasional
class outings are also organised, which serve to reinforce
and enrich the work being done in school.
Various
activities take place during lunch hours and after school.
For many of these activities we benefit from volunteer parents
either running or helping to run clubs or activities.
Activities
include choir, country dancing, drama, guitar, keyboard, orchestra,
ornithology, recorders, and the following sports - cricket,
football, netball, rounders, rugby, table tennis, tennis.
We also have an environment group, the Green Fingers Club.
All after-school
activities will normally finish by 4.15pm.
Children
with Special Educational Needs
The Education Reform Act 1988 introduced the National Curriculum
for all pupils of compulsory school age. It is hoped that
all children with Special Educational Needs in Berrow School
will have full access to this entitlement, as we expect all
pupils to travel the same path of learning but at varying
speeds.
Children
with special needs, because they are experiencing specific
learning difficulties, receive support from our own Special
Needs Team, mainly within the classroom, but some children
are withdrawn for more specific tasks. Special programmes
of study are designed to meet these children's needs, and
full consultation with their parents takes place.
Exceptionally
able and talented children with special needs are
catered for within their classes. There are courses organised
by the County for children with specific talents, and this
information is passed on to parents when appropriate.
Provision
can also be made for any children experiencing social problems,
where regular counselling would be of benefit.
The school
is justly proud of the work of its Special Educational Needs
(SEN) Team, and the support given by various outside agents
who help us to diagnose problems and develop strategies to
help the children. These outside agents are:
Sporting
Aims and Provision for Sport