WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL!!!

Bincombe Valley Primary School is situated in the area of Littlemoor in Weymouth, between the main Dorchester Road, Broadwey and Chalbury Corner, Preston.

At present there are up to 280 pupils in the school, ranging in age from 3-11 years. The Nursery Unit caters for children between the ages of 3-4 on a part-time basis (morning or afternoon). The main school classes are generally divided by year group and contain a mix of ability. Children come to Bincombe Valley with a variety of talents and needs. Some have learning difficulties. As an inclusive school, we diagnose special educational needs and provide appropriate provision within the classroom environment.

The only way that a school can achieve its aims is through the combined efforts and commitment of the teaching and support staff, children, governors and parents.

Our aims are:

• To create a happy and secure school environment, where each child is valued and feels important as an individual.
• To help children to learn that courtesy, good manners, consideration and respect for others are important and desirable qualities.
• To respond to individual needs and to celebrate individual achievement.
• To develop lively, enquiring minds, where children are able to discuss and apply themselves to tasks.
• To offer a broad and balanced curriculum, encompassing all areas of learning (please refer to separate subject sections).
• To establish an environment within which teaching and non-teaching staff, school governors, advisory colleagues, parents and future parents can work with each other for the successful achievement of these aims.
• For the school to be recognised, both in the local and in the wider community, as a model of good practice.

We are very fortunate to have a purpose built nursery unit on site. Children attend five sessions per week (either mornings or afternoons). Children are entitled to full time schooling at the start of the school term following their fifth birthday. Dorset's policy is more generous and allows younger children to be admitted to the Reception Class at the beginning of the Autumn Term (September) for children aged five between 1 September and the following 31 August. Our Admission Policy allows children to attend on a full-time basis from the Autumn Term. The morning session is more formal than the afternoon Sunshine Club. Older children are admitted during the school year with a maximum of 48 pupils in each age group.

The curriculum is the means by which we try to achieve the aims of the school. We endeavour to provide a solid foundation, developing the children’s knowledge, skills and attitudes on which they can build and enjoy their future learning. The National Primary Framework is established within the school and continues to support the on going raising of standards. We are committed to providing ‘excellence with enjoyment’, aiming to provide a rich curriculum experience and celebrating achievement. We offer this opportunity to all pupils irrespective of gender, ability or need – striving to be fully inclusive in our work. Due to the fluctuation of numbers in each year group we have planned an A and a B curriculum for Years 4 and 5 to ensure pupils cover different themes each year. Our Nursery and Reception classes follow a Foundation Stage curriculum.

The school runs a number of after school clubs. These include a newspaper club, art club, French club, football, netball, athletics and rounders clubs. The clubs are run as extra-curriculum activity on a voluntary basis by staff and no charge is made for participation.