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

• to provide a rich, broad and balanced curriculum which actively involves children in their learning and develops their creativity
  
• to ensure that all children acquire the basic skills of literacy and numeracy
  
• to provide a stimulating environment in which children will develop enquiring minds to question and argue rationally, and show application to tasks both physical and intellectual
  
• to encourage the development of Christian principles, based within the framework of the Anglican church, and of moral values which embrace responsible personal conduct, self esteem and a sensitive and caring attitude to others
  
• to encourage the children to appreciate and care for their environment
  
• to enable the children to understand the inter-dependence of individuals, groups and nations
  

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:

• the educational psychologist
  
• the social worker
  
• the school nurse
  
• the speech therapist
  
• the audiologist

If a parent has any concerns with regard to his/her child's special educational needs, he/she should not hesitate to contact the school.

Sporting Aims and Provision for Sport
PE makes a unique contribution to a child's education as it involves the development of physical and mental performance, social skills and self-esteem. The school's sporting aim is to bring out the very best in each pupil. In order to achieve this, we will ensure that children:

• develop an understanding and an ability to apply a wide range of movement skills and concepts
• become competent and confident in
  this ability
• experience a variety of physical activities which enables them to recognise and value the benefits of participation, not only in school but throughout life
• can find real enjoyment and self-expression in sport